My first post with a bitter question

[Barooo Maker]

Hi everyone. I have been spending time here the past few days and have learned a lot. I am new to home-brewing and have a lot to learn. I have a question about my first batch. I brewed an Amber Ale extract kit from True Brew.

3.3lbs. Hopped Amber Malt Extract
2 lbs. Light DME
1 oz. Hops Pellets

All ingredients were added at the beginning of the 60 min. boil as instructed.
Active fermentation was complete (No bubbles) after 2 days @66-68F. I racked to the secondary on day 4. I left it there for a week and then bottled.
OG-1.044
FG-1.010
After a week in the bottles I put one in the fridge and tried it. It has started to carbonate, has a nice head and good aroma. Now here is my issue... The initial taste was a pleasant malty taste but it was followed by a very bitter bite that just sort of lingered on in the back of my throat. Has something gone wrong or is this an aging issue?

I cant wait to start my next batch.


Cheers

 

[knewshound]

Relax and have a homebrew.

You are drinking green beer.

You have to wait at least another week, 2 would be better before declaring it bitter.

Your hops have yet to mellow, age is the only sure cure.

Let me know next week how it turned out, but again, 2 more would be better.

The Pils I just kegged the weekend before last is just now drinkable, yet has been carbonated for days.

Welcome to homebrewing.

Cheers,

knewshound

 

[PhoenixCoyote]

Hi everyone. I have been spending time here the past few days and have learned a lot. I am new to home-brewing and have a lot to learn. I have a question about my first batch. I brewed an Amber Ale extract kit from True Brew.

3.3lbs. Hopped Amber Malt Extract
2 lbs. Light DME
1 oz. Hops Pellets

All ingredients were added at the beginning of the 60 min. boil as instructed.
Active fermentation was complete (No bubbles) after 2 days @66-68F. I racked to the secondary on day 4. I left it there for a week and then bottled.
OG-1.044
FG-1.010
After a week in the bottles I put one in the fridge and tried it. It has started to carbonate, has a nice head and good aroma. Now here is my issue... The initial taste was a pleasant malty taste but it was followed by a very bitter bite that just sort of lingered on in the back of my throat. Has something gone wrong or is this an aging issue?

I cant wait to start my next batch.


Cheers

4 days in primary is too soon. it has to ferment at least 7 days minimum depending on your style. The general rule here is the 123 method. One week primary, 2 weeks secondary and 3 weeks in bottles. I made 4 batches in december last year and thought it was bad. 6 months later, it is drinkable and very nice. I know patience is a virture, but in this hobby, time is the king. You can drink it as early as 2 weeks without a secondary, but will be better in 4 weeks or longer. Good luck.

 

[RichBrewer]

I don't know how hoppy the extract was or the Alpha Acids of the hops were but together they may have created a fairly hoppy brew. As everyone has said, you probably have a good beer. It just needs some time.
If you decide that it is too bitter you can add the hops that came with the kit 30 minutes into the boil next time you brew this one. It will reduce the bitterness and add a bit of hop flavor.
Don't give up on it yet.

 

[david_42]

Give it at least another 2 weeks. Even a low gravity ale needs time to mellow.

 

[Barooo Maker]

Thanks for all of the advise. It sounds like I just need to give it some time.
While I am waiting with nothing else to do I guess I will brew another batch.

 

[Desert_Sky]

Relax and have a homebrew.

You are drinking green beer.

If thats the case, be sure to carry around a can of air freshener with you. You're going to need it

 

[knipknup]

Cheers,
Rich

Primary: EMPTY
Secondary: McDermott's Irish Ale (Mini Mash Test Brew)
Secondary: EMPTY
Bottled: None
Kegged: Barking Dog Brown
Kegged: Imperial Hellfire Ale (IHA)
Kegged: ESB V2
Kegged: Honey Ale
Up next: ???
Planning stages: Poor Richard's Ale
Gone but not forgotten: Windy Winter Brown, ESB V1

You can't possibly have a signature like this and NOT post a picture of the gut it has produced along with it!