Off taste in beer

[hophooligan]

I can't seem to get it right. I've brewed and bottled 4-5 5gallon batches of pale ale in the past 2 years. The first was a prepackaged kit (brewers best california ale) I was happy with the quality. Ever since I've had problems. First problem was no carbonation but after learning the fridge was not the place to condition I placed the bottles in a closet and it did just fine. But now I can't shake this off taste of what some may describe as a fruity used band-aid. At first I blamed it on the house hold bleach used to sterilize everything. But after using a package cleaner from my beginners brew kit I still had that taste. Then I blamed it on my water. It has a definite chlorine taste, almost like a swimming pool. This most recent Amarillo pale ale I used 6 gallons of distilled water purchased from walmart along with a package of the cleaner provided with the kit. I inspect every bottle before and after hand cleaning and then use my dishwashers 'sterilize' mode where they are bathed it HOT water and then steamed for an hour. I can't figure out why I have this off taste. I would like some ideas and help. What can I do differently so that I may enjoy my end product to it's fullest?

 

[Atonk]

Hmm....sounds like the bottles are being sterilized well. What about the bottling bucket and tubes, racking canes? You got rid of the bleach, but what are you sanitizing this equipment with?

 

[Grumpybumpy]

I wouldn't use distilled water as it doesn't have the necessary minerals unless you treat it

 

[mattne421]

what are your fermentation temps?

 

[bschoenb]

Home Brew Club in your Area? One of the advantages is getting experienced brewers to taste your beer. I'd bet they'd pin it down quickly w/suggestions. You may have several things going on, and not just one?

Fruity ? ~ Yeast ? are you using a liquid yeast like Wyeast and fermenting between 65-68? or using dry yeast

 

[bschoenb]

I wouldn't use distilled water as it doesn't have the necessary minerals unless you treat it

Distilled is ok w/Extract.. (but I would use Spring Water)

 

[hophooligan]

EVERYTHING is cleaned with C-Brite cleanser by directions on packet. Fermenting temp 65-70. Yeast? I'm not sure of the type or name but it is what the supply store provides. I'll have to inquire about local brew groups.

 

[hophooligan]

The yeast is a dry yeast, pinkish red package.

 

[bschoenb]

The yeast is a dry yeast, pinkish red package.

US05 by Safale maybe? Try Nottingham next time; perhaps what you are tasting is an Ester that some people (inlcuding me) that folks can taste in US-05 that has a "Peachy" or "Pear" or "Apricot" flavour. I personally don't like it. I don't get that with notthingham fermented in the low/mid 60s

 

[hophooligan]

The yeast type sounds like a good place to look into. Only the first batch I brewed was a preassembled kit. The others had been recipes from the supply store. I bet the yeast in the kit was different than the yeast from the store. I've changed cleaning procedure, and water type along with various different types of hops only to get the same weird flavor. Thx for the info and ideas. Keep them coming.