Pre-bottling sample.

[rcs7]

First post here and wanted to say this a great place, lots of good info and people from what I read.

Here's my question. Should the taste of the beer prior to bottling be close to what it will be once it's had time to condition?

I bottled some pumpkin ale yesterday and tasted it a couple of times and didn't notice the pumpkin used nor the spices added at the end. It did have a flat beer taste which I should expect right? This is an extract recipe.

Russell

 

[frazier]

It seems to me that the carbonation carries a lot of the flavor to the mouth and nose. So, go ahead and bottle. You really can't rely on the pre=bottling taste for very much.

 

[pericles]

It should taste pretty close, but you're definitely going to find changes.

 

[rcs7]

I guess time will tell. The one thing I noticed more than anything was a alcohol taste. Not overwhelming but definitely there.

 

[Malticulous]

Strong beers will have evident alcohol heat. It shouldn't be hot or solvent like. It will fade over months.

Carbonation adds a bite from carbonic acid. That really is the biggest change.

When I sample the FG what I'm really tasting for are off flavors. The balance of the beer changes as it clears and carbonates.