Noob from socal

[edasaurus]

Hey, I just kegged up my first batch of home brew today. It didn't smell too great, but I'm hoping it'll get better as it conditions and carbonates...

I'm itchin to brew my second batch (and this time I'll pay more attention to the temperature)

Thanks for all the informative posts here.

 

[arturo7]

Welcome to HBT, Ed.

What temp did the batch ferment at? Which yeast?

 

[DragonTail]

Welcome

 

[edasaurus]

Hey thanks for the welcomes folks.

Arturo, I used "dry ale yeast". It came in a little red package. It says "safale us-05" on it. I wasn't hot all the time, but during a few days, I'm guessing it got to the low 80s.

I just tried some. Its still flat and has a weird after taste, but other than that, its pretty bland and watery... Not sure if conditioning will cure that.

 

[arturo7]

Assuming you added priming sugar then bottled, flat will be a non-issue in a coupla-few weeks.

The funky aftertaste could be attributed to your beer's youth but maybe not. Low 80's are a but too high for this yeast. You may have some off flavors as a result.

As for the bland and watery, we'll need to know your recipe to comment on that.

In any case, you've likely made a drinkable beer.


EDIT: (Damn, I cut myself off!) There are many threads here on controlling your fermentation temps. Did you get a hydro reading when you pitched your yeast?

 

[edasaurus]

Yeah, I hope the beer gets better. I didn't get a hydro reading cause I didn't have a hydrometer. The instructions I had said it was optional, so I didn't bother. But I just got one at my LBHS for my next batch (in a few days).

My recipe was this kit:

Culver City Home Brewing Supply Co. Recipes

I know its a lighter beer (I bought in July 4th when it was really hot out here) but it seems lighter than a bud light! Can aging possibly help w/ the lightness of the beer?

Also I didn't bottle. I went kegged it. I know it'll take a while to get fully carbonated, but I plan on tasting it every day to see how it progresses.

 

[arturo7]

Aging, if anything will mellow out your beer. Kinda hard to guess at what's going on without the hydro readings.

As far as the length of time to carb, check the threads on force carbing. If that's your bag, man.

cheers

 

[seigex]

welcome to the forum, another socalian eh? I'm from corona...