Help with Honey Ale Recipe

[evbc]

Thanks for the feedback Adam. We figured it should be carb'd up by now as well. This recipe has been the ultimate battle from the get-go. We are getting really close on just scrapping this batch and starting over. Every other recipe has been spot on so far.

We have a corny keg that is new to us but is in good condition. I replaced the gaskets and it appears to be holding pressure (I'm assuming at 30 psi for 3 weeks we would have drained the CO2 tank by now). This is the first beer that has gone in it. I made sure the lines were connected to the correct valves (in versus out). When I just lowered the pressure I could smell the beer from the relief valve on our CO2 tank (near the pressure dial).

I'm going to pour a couple of pints right now. Nothing like a honey ale breakfast before work.....

 

[Jwood]

Holy Jesus, don't leave it that long at 30 psi. It will turn out like soda (or even more carbed)

Turn it down to 11 or 12 psi and let it sit to carbonate. It probably tastes flat because you are blowing all the C02 out through the massive amount of foam. At this point you might have to degas the keg over the course of a few days and recarbonate at the proper psi.

 

[evbc]

I appreciate your help as well Jwood. I turned it down to 12 psi this morning and plan on letting it sit in the kegerator for the next few days and then check on it. What is the proper temperature I should have it at right now and how do you degas?

Thanks for answering my noob questions.

 

[adamc]

32-38 F whatever you want.

Disconnect the gas, vent pressure with the valve on top, wait a few hours (overnight), vent again, repeat until it doesn't vent anymore.

Then set at 12psi and let it sit.

You definitely overcarbed it.

 

[adamc]

How does it taste, btw? Are you happy with it?

 

[evbc]

Thanks! Even after sitting today at 12psi (actually more like 11) I poured a pint and it was not only less foamy it seems to be carbing. Thanks for everyone's input!

Regarding the taste, after all of that turmoil and re-working on the fly, it actually tastes great! It definitely has the honey scent on the nose and is a sweet tasting beer. Very smooth. I offered a taste to my mother-in-law (the official taste-tester ) and she really liked it. It has a little ways to go carbonation-wise (obviously) but the taste has mellowed out and going to be a great spring/summer brew, if it makes it that long.

Thanks again for your help Adam. You were a huge help!

We are digging this new-found hobby of ours. We currently have 2 batches in the bottle (conditioning) and two batches in primary. We are going to brew 2 more over the next week. You would think that we would have beer pouring out of every cupboard and shelf but all of our friends and family members keep helping themselves. But we've invited that and welcome it!