Poss Over Carb???

[jslive4now]

Been having an issue with my last couple of batches of Kegged brew…** After sitting in my Keg for about *1-1/2 to 2 weeks the flavor is changing and giving off an off flavor….* Almost like bitterness or an astringent taste….* From what I can tell its possible caused for Over Carbonation or “Carbonic Acid”…* Not sure how to ID this so thought I’d reach out for some help…*

So to give a rundown of my normal way I Keg, here is the following… I clean kegs and lines with PBW and Sanitize with Star San.* I will Keg home brew and Purge the head space..* After purge I set for 25-30PSI for 24 hours (to set cap and jump start carbonation)..* after the 24 hours I then will Purge the head space, set between 10-12 psi and let it set for about another 3-4 days and serve at the same pressure… *Yesterday I turned the pressure down to about 5-6psi and Ive been purging the head space every few hours or so to try and release some of the extra Carbonation…. Though the keg is still in the fridge, and I’ve read I might need to take out and let it warm up to room temps…

Will this go away??* Based on the above could it be anything else* I was very careful when I brewed this batch and used store bought water…* Initially it was a Great brew but now its not so great…LOL* Is what I’m doing to Carb wrong??* I’ve read some say to set at the proper PSI and let it set, other have done what I’ve done and don’t have a problem..
*
Any thoughts would be much appreciated….


John

 

[kev211]

Store bought water? Like filtered water? Or distilled or RO water? Did you treat it?

If it is carbonic acid I would guess the force carbing at 25-30 to be the culprit. I used to do this but I noticed I was getting that off flavor so now I carb all of my beers at ~15 psi for 4-5 days and the flavor has gone away. Some people carb at high psi's with great results. I did not so I switched. You may want to try the next batch with just 12-15 psi and see how that works.

Edit: Also, I doubt you over carbed, but that doesnt mean carbonic acid cant still be present.

 

[doug293cz]

I doubt you overcarbed with only 24 hrs at 25 - 30 psi, unless you agitated the keg at that pressure, or your keg wasn't close to full. I do 36 hrs at 30 psi in full kegs (no agitation), and have had no overcarb issues. Partially full kegs will carb faster, so you have to reduce time at high pressure for them.

Brew on

 

[beergolf]

The solution is to start BOTTLING..

Not really. I just had to do that because when someone has a bottling issue then some kegging fanboy says the solution is to start kegging. It really does not address the problem the poster was having.

Back on topic. I doubt that you over carbed if you did what you mentioned, but it is possible. I tried the quick carb method several times and it worked just fine. But I did get overcarbed beer a couple of times. I now use the set it and forget it method and have never overcarbed a brew that way. Sure it takes a little longer, but it works. I am not in a rush to drink my brews. I just want brews that taste good.

The other variable you mention is that you switched water. That could be a possibility. What was your recipe? All grain or extract? You mention astringent or bitterness. It could also be the beginnings of an infection. That could be possible since you mention that the beer was good for a while and then changed. If it continues to get worse, then that is a real possibility.

 

[jslive4now]

Store bought water? Like filtered water? Or distilled or RO water? Did you treat it?

I used Store bought Spring water, not distilled. Previous batches I used home filtered water so I switched to try and eliminate that as a possible problem. And treated?? No I did nothing to it..

 

[jslive4now]

The solution is to start BOTTLING..

Not really. I just had to do that because when someone has a bottling issue then some kegging fanboy says the solution is to start kegging. It really does not address the problem the poster was having.

Back on topic. I doubt that you over carbed if you did what you mentioned, but it is possible. I tried the quick carb method several times and it worked just fine. But I did get overcarbed beer a couple of times. I now use the set it and forget it method and have never overcarbed a brew that way. Sure it takes a little longer, but it works. I am not in a rush to drink my brews. I just want brews that taste good.

The other variable you mention is that you switched water. That could be a possibility. What was your recipe? All grain or extract? You mention astringent or bitterness. It could also be the beginnings of an infection. That could be possible since you mention that the beer was good for a while and then changed. If it continues to get worse, then that is a real possibility.

I switched water only to rule out what I was using before, home filtered water.. Have had this issue with about 3 batch's.. I do Partial Mash.. So I mash 4-5# of grain, I used the same water.. Use extract as a late addition to bring OG up.. I thought about an infection but not sure what would cause what I'm tasting... I've replaced tubing recently.. Only thing I haven't changed with my fermentation bucket.. Possible issue there??

 

[frittsbier]

I'm having the same exact issue, and have had it with several styles now. The beer is exceptional when tasting the FG sample at kegging and up to a few days after. From there, it goes downhill. What once was a bright, flavorful beer, becomes a bitter, muddied, boring taste. No depth of flavor, no hop characteristics, no sweetness... all my beers result in this and taste the same. Also used spring water to eliminate that.

I found this thread because I also thought it may be carbonic bite. Difficult to believe since I set it at 12 PSI and forget it - still happens. Let me know if you determine the solution.

 

[doug293cz]

I'm having the same exact issue, and have had it with several styles now. The beer is exceptional when tasting the FG sample at kegging and up to a few days after. From there, it goes downhill. What once was a bright, flavorful beer, becomes a bitter, muddied, boring taste. No depth of flavor, no hop characteristics, no sweetness... all my beers result in this and taste the same. Also used spring water to eliminate that.

I found this thread because I also thought it may be carbonic bite. Difficult to believe since I set it at 12 PSI and forget it - still happens. Let me know if you determine the solution.

Check out this thread. Similar issues.

Brew on