Lighter beers?

[macbeer43]

Ok I'm doing mr beer kegs...I just did a sorta lawn mower beer..3 lbs light dme a couple hop additions 3 weeks in keg, I bottle on 4/8 it's now 5/21 still really green twangy flavor..it just seems every time I do a lighter beer same results twangy taste little carb no head retention and that merky colored beer..I mean every time..the darker beers are a ton better..I just don't get it..just frustrating.

 

[boydster]

What kind of yeast, and what are your fermentation temps? Any other details from your brew day would help, too - boil time, all extract added at the beginning or not, how cool was the wort when you pitched, anything else that stands out in your mind.

You say a green twang - like green apple, by any chance?

 

[jro238]

Lighter beers don't cover off flavors nearly as well as more full bodied brews. It is definitely possible that you have the same issues in more of your beers but just can't taste them in dark ones.

What kind of yeast are you using and how fresh/well taken care of are they--green (apple?) flavors are often due to unhealthy fermentations. Also, are you controlling fermentation temperatures at all?

Finally, how long are you boiling your extract? If you add it at the start of the boil you can get some carmelization and possibly scorching which a lot of people describe as an extract twang or 'homebrew flavor'.

Edit: clearly boydster types faster than I do on my phone

 

[pdietert]

Post the recipe. Lighter beers are going to show flaws much more than heavier beers.

 

[macbeer43]

3 lbs Golden Light DME

45 minute boil
.25 oz Cascade @ 45'
1 oz Cascade @ 5'

Ferment with US-05 under 68°

I mean basic recipe..just wanted a lawn mower beer..it's at the 6 week mark..bottle on 4/8 I'm using mr beer 1L PET's bottles..I mean nothing went crazy..followed recipe straight and temps were good..carbonation was eh..my fault with the 1L pet's..

 

[boydster]

Are you monitoring the fermentation temp, or is that your ambient temp? The two can be very different.

Are you using a full, new pack of 05? Repitching a used slurry? If new, are you hydrating according to Fermentis' instructions?

 

[macbeer43]

I rehydrated the whole pack..ferm temps in the 60's..maybe just needs more time..

 

[stpug]

The water you use can definitely play a role in the outcome of the beer. Do you have any idea on the water you used? Mineral content? Chlorine/-amine content? etc

Adding your extract (or majority of) towards the end of the boil in a beer like this would definitely help keep any extra carmelization from occurring which can reduce those characteristics. Consequently, caramel-like character can perceived as twangy in delicate beers - but it would be good to know a little more about your water before concluding anything.

 

[macbeer43]

The water I use is from the fridge..it's filtered..all the darker beers I know mask slot of off flavors and have been great..I just wanted a nice crisp clean light beer..

 

[stpug]

Filtered is good so there's a bump in the right direction. Unfortunately, hardness of water is largely unaffected by filters so there's still the potential of excessive hardness in your water for lighter styles of beer. Generally this is associated with an extra "harshness" to the beer and not twangy, so this might not be the problem either. Do you know if you have "hard" water or not? I'm not certain how pH will play a factor in this considering you're not working with any grain. Certainly, a slightly more acidic final beer will have that extra bit of bite to it that is associated with light, crisp beers so pH may be worth looking into, but might not be the solution.

I also failed to suggest the DME itself as a point of twangy-ness. Sometimes, the extract can be the cause of those twangy flavors all by itself. This is where "freshness" matters, especially in lighter, more delicate styles. DME is generally more shelf-stable than LME, but when you can get good fresh LME then the results can potentially be better.

Do you have any idea on the "freshness" of the ingredients you're purchasing?

 

[macbeer43]

I think they are fresh..I get my recipes from island brewing..it's a new homebrew store guys on mr beer fans started. ..actually I think the water I have is on the harder side..maybe I need to stick to darker and Ipa style of beers which I like..just wanted a decent light beer..I'll give it z few more weeks..but I don't know on this one..just sweet tasting..

 

[pdietert]

If you do a lighter beer again, try using distilled or RO water. Either should be fine if you are doing extract.

 

[boydster]

Sweet tasting and murky says to me it may not have finished fermenting completely. Do you have OG/FG readings, and did you check FG over the span of a few days to make sure it was stable?

Soft water is great for light bodied & colored beers. I'm fortunate to have soft water while i'm making my summer blonde and cream ales right now. Still, you shouldn't have a lot of sweetness or poor clarity because of water hardness.

 

[pdietert]

Also, chloramines are not going to be filtered out by the fridge filter, so if you have them in your water supply, this could add to off flavors.

 

[macbeer43]

Thx for the input..I'll give it a few more weeks..hoping it'll get better.