Mando introductory post

[Mack]

Hey all. Right before Thanksgiving, a group of co-workers and I were discussing the old "Mr Beer" kits we would order while we were stations overseas in areas that prohibited alcohol, and then "brew our own" for use in the barracks. That discussion prompted all of us to order a NEW Mr Beer kit and trade a few beers around New Years timeframe. Well, before my two Mr Beer batches were out of their little brown kegs, I had a 10 gallon kettle, a couple of big mouth bubblers, and a bunch of bottles. Not a week after I bought all that crap, I bought an electric AIO kit that I've been using for all grain BIAB batches. I've got 9 batches in so far. I'm in north eastern NC, and there are ZERO LHBS around here, which sucks. Gotta rely on one shop in Norfolk VA, and the internet is my friend. I am joining because I have some questions about flavor profiles and need help.

 

[flipster]

Hi Mack, A warm welcome from Bavaria!
Hope you find the droids answers, you are looking for!

Cheers, flipster

 

[wallyLOZ]

Welcome from Missouri!

Searched for "flavor profiles" and got this:
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/search/9242728/?q=flavor+profiles&o=relevance

Cheers!

 

[Mack]

Welcome from Missouri!

Searched for "flavor profiles" and got this:
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/search/9242728/?q=flavor+profiles&o=relevance

Cheers!

Thanks Wally - I appreciate it. I searched that exact same string and got the same results. I think it's my choice of words.. it isn't a "profile" per se, more of a "what IS this flavor?" and what in my brew process has either emphasized it or created it.

 

[wallyLOZ]

Try this PDF. It suggests a cure for certain off flavors. Don't recall where or when I found it. Hope this helps.

 

[Mack]

Thanks... It may just be "green beer".

 

[HBT_Admin]

Welcome to HBT!

 

[fluketamer]

do you have temperature control? this along with chlorine in the tap water were my two biggest contributors to off flavors.

 

[Mack]

do you have temperature control? this along with chlorine in the tap water were my two biggest contributors to off flavors.

Yes, I maintain at 65°F (unless I'm using kveik). Also use campden tablet in the strike water.

After a thousand more Google searches, I think my problem is the water softener...


"If your homebrew consistently tastes like wheat beer even when using different recipes, the most likely culprit is that your water softener is adding too much sodium to the water, which can impart a slightly sweet, full-bodied flavor that can mimic a wheat beer profile, especially if used in large quantities. "

I'm gonna cook up a basic batch with the softener bypassed to check there effects.

 

[Knightshade]

Perhaps..if you've still got your Mr. Beer fermenter, do a small batch with distilled water from the local store? Maybe a little less work, cleanup, etc., until you figure out what is going on?

And/or, just send in your water to get tested. Plenty of people on here would help you interpret what it means, how to adjust, etc.

https://www.wardlab.com/product/water-test-kit/

 

[Mack]

Perhaps..if you've still got your Mr. Beer fermenter, do a small batch with distilled water from the local store? Maybe a little less work, cleanup, etc., until you figure out what is going on?

And/or, just send in your water to get tested. Plenty of people on here would help you interpret what it means, how to adjust, etc.

https://www.wardlab.com/product/water-test-kit/

My ward labs kit is arriving tonight. Thanks!

 

[Ramjet]

Welcome from Wisconsin. I have well water and a water softener, so I buy RO water from the store and do salt additions. I use beer smith for the recommended additions.

 

[Mack]

Welcome from Wisconsin. I have well water and a water softener, so I buy RO water from the store and do salt additions. I use beer smith for the recommended additions.

I haven't tried Beer smith yet, I do use the brewers friend calculator to get an idea of additions. I have the Bru'n water XL, but I haven't got the hang of it yet and I'm an excel nerd - I thought it would be more "automated" I suppose. What I would love to see is a water profiler that DOES automatically suggest salt additions to bring you within a range, I don't see how that would be difficult to do. Obviously there would be some either/or suggestions, but it seems like all the programs I've used thus far rely on my inputs to calculate a "score".

 

[Mack]

I just tried Brewfather and see that it does indeed have automated salt additions!

 

[Ramjet]

I have friends that use brewfather for their brewing. It seems more user friendly than Beersmith3.

 

[Knightshade]

I started using Brewers Friend mostly because they're a sponsor here, so figured it was a win/win. Feel like I'm so familiar with their software now, it would be a PITA to switch to something else.