Post-Fermentation Beer a bit too sweet

[noahhamilton2018]

I've recently ran into this problem that my beer always tastes too sweet and thick right after fermentation. I've hit my target gravity and even did what I consider to be a good diacetyl rest but still is sweet. Is this normal right after fermentation? Will things tend to mellow out after keg conditioning? I'm not sure if I'm tasting diacetyl, unfermented sugars, or what. What are some of your suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[Jayjay1976]

I've recently ran into this problem that my beer always tastes too sweet and thick right after fermentation. I've hit my target gravity and even did what I consider to be a good diacetyl rest but still is sweet. Is this normal right after fermentation? Will things tend to mellow out after keg conditioning? I'm not sure if I'm tasting diacetyl, unfermented sugars, or what. What are some of your suggestions?

Thanks!

Some of us refer to a beer like this as 'flabby'. Curious if you used a lot of crystal malts in your recipe? I've suffered through a lot of flabby, under-attenuated beers because I overestimate my hop utilization. Hop bitterness is intended to balance the sweet malty flavors, and bringing both into harmony is a skill that takes time to develop. Some of us (honestly, me) struggle with it even years in to the sport of beering.

Edit: Hey, welcome to HBT! And thanks for asking a really good question!

 

[Jaybird]

I've recently ran into this problem that my beer always tastes too sweet and thick right after fermentation. I've hit my target gravity and even did what I consider to be a good diacetyl rest but still is sweet. Is this normal right after fermentation? Will things tend to mellow out after keg conditioning? I'm not sure if I'm tasting diacetyl, unfermented sugars, or what. What are some of your suggestions?

Thanks!

Welcome to HBT!

Post fermentation sweetness can be a variation of several things. How about post up your recipe and process and maybe we can dial you in. How long have you been brewing?

Cheers
Jay

 

[cmac62]

Without the carbonic acid of bubbles your beer with taste different, not sure about sweet, but different. Welcome to HBT.

 

[hotbeer]

What was your target FG? That might indicate that a beer is going to taste sweeter unless its highly hopped or bittered another way. Wouldn't it?

If not carbonated yet, then wait till it is before you assume it's too sweet. Carbonation does bring down the sweetness or at least balances it out.

 

[Gilbert Spinning Horse]

Check your thermometer's accuracy. If your are mashing at too high a temp then while you'll still be making your sugars and therefore hitting the starting gravity, your sugars won't be as fermentable. That's one of many things it could be.