Long time reader, first time brewer

[Gunslinger711]

Pic 6: Everything in 6 packs
Pic 7: Leftover fruit and trub

 

[Gunslinger711]

So right now the bottles are sitting in a 65F closet, I might move them up to a 70-73 F closet. Worried about bottle bombs but we'll see. Maybe leave them in the closet for a week, then move them? Does ramping up the temp make a difference when bottling?

 

[unionrdr]

At 65F it'll take a bit longer to carbonate. I always put them in the master bedroom,the warmest room in the house. As much as 85F in there,but rarely below 70F. So warmer temps are better,imo.

 

[Gunslinger711]

I moved it to the upstairs closet, currently 74F, and covered it in case of bottle bombs.

 

[Gunslinger711]

Two weeks in the bottle in my low 70's closet and I was still afraid I'd have flat beer because of my beersicle incident. This was not the case. Put two bottles in the fridge Thursday and opened them tonight, a pleasant PFFT of carbonation awaits me!

I think these still need a week or so to carb up properly but here are my first impressions:
-Small amount of orange taste
-Small amount of orange aroma
-Definite blackberry taste
-Watery body

Overall, for my first beer, not to shabby. No off flavors to speak of. I believe the watery body comes from me pouring the "tea" in with my blackberries (or the freezing and thawing of the majority of the beer). As far as fruit flavors go, not sure if I need to move some of the orange additions to the "secondary" or possibly the fruit flavors just clash.

Anyone's thoughts?

 

[unionrdr]

I think freezing/thawing the beer might be part of the problem. I never do that myself. They say freezing partly can make it higher ABV-wise,but the rest,idk...

 

[Gunslinger711]

Freezing was completely on accident I assure you.

 

[Gunslinger711]

Four weeks in the bottle and this has finally hit it's stride. Incidentally, I finally know what it means when people say it takes time for your beer to develop, even in bottles. Despite all my stumbling steps this has turned into a tasty summer sipper.

Also, last night was the first time I had someone besides SWMBO tried my homebrew and they (craft brew lovers themselves) received it a lot better than I thought they would. Two lessons learned, no wonder this hobby get addictive.

 

[unionrdr]

Good to hear. Def one of the lessons to be learned is giving the beer the conditioning time it needs to be at it's best after 1-2 weeks fridge time.