Problems with first two brews...

[Aeolus]

Hi all
I am pretty new to the whole brewing scene (started about 3 months ago). And I must admit it is a great joy!

The only problem I have is that both my brews thus far smelled and tasted of yeast (the best way to describe it). I have no idea why this is? I don't want my next brew to taste the same.

In both the brews I used pre-hopped kits (Coopers lager and stout) with the yeast they supply with the kits (I know now its bad).

Why does it do that and what can I do to avoid it?

 

[Orfy]

How long did you leave it fermenting?

 

[JimC]

Are you sloshing the bottles or dumping the last bit of each into your cup? Yeast in the bottles will settle down on the bottom during bottle conditioning and you don't want to slosh the bottle around prior to pouring or drink the last little slug of yeasty beer. You can't drink bottle conditioned homebrew from the bottle because of this.

The yeast in the those kits is usually a good neutral brand and probably isn't the problem. The only think you have to watch out for with kit yeast is the best before date.

 

[fezzman]

I just racked a batch that I used Coopers yeast on for the first time. I typically use Nottingham. I noticed that the cake in the bottom of my primary was very soupy and did not 'stick' as well as the Nottingham typically does.

Is that common with the Coopers? Perhaps that is why he's getting such a yeasty taste...it doesn't stay put in the bottom of the bottles as well.

 

[Aeolus]

The first brew I bottled after about a week (primary fementation only). The second one sat in the primary FV for little over two weeks.

I cant remember the best before dates but i don't think the yeast was to old, then i would have remebered.

I generally don't manhandle the bottles for that exact reason......That last bit looks nasty! but as with any bottle it is impossible to pour without little disturbance.

I have never really paid that much attention to the cake. but it does seem to disturb quiet easily.

Just to add to my previous questions: how big an impact can yeast have on a brew?

 

[Orfy]

Well with that length of the ferment there should be no problem with autolosys.

As for the impact of the yeast on the beer it can be very big. I'd say almost as important a choice as hops or grain.

You can alter the profile of a beer by the yeast choice alone.
The difference can be subtle or vast. It's important to use the correct yeast for the style of beer especially if the beer get it's characteristics from the yeast.

I'm lucky because I like English style Ales most of them use fairly neutral yeast and the yeast profiles are quite subtle.