Save The Beer!

[Estrada]

I brewed a SMASH (with extract) Pale Ale last week. Simcoe hops at 60, 15 and 10. Fermentation seemed to go well, OG at 1.044 and FG at 1.012 (what I was shooting for). After I took the sample I gave it a taste to see how it was coming along and seems to be overly bitter, almost soapy on the back end. The recipe still calls for a dry hop of 1 oz of simcoe, but I'm uncertain if that'll cut through the, what I'm guessing is, an off flavor.

Any thoughts as to what could have prompted the off flavor?
Any way to save the batch (extra dry hopping perhaps, racking to a secondary to dry hop)?

Some additional detals:
- Maillard malt extract and simcoe hops only
- Using a big mouth bubbler - first time and possibly the last. Had a lot of krauzen but little airlock activity. Everything seemed secure but there was likely something I missed
- it's really cloudy - used wort chiller and Irish moss but still looks hazy
- flavor seemed off right after brewing too. Was also cloudy right after brewing
- fermentation temp seemed stable throughout
- aerated the wort with a paint mixer after brewing
- pitched with dry yeast

Thanks for any and all help!

 

[brewmeister13]

Soapy would indicate either poorly rinsed equipment after washing or autolysis of the yeast, yeast breaking down usually after too long in the primary. Autolysis isn't likely, unless you've had this sitting around for months.

Personally, I'd finish it as planned, bottle it and see how it comes out. If you still don't like it find someone with an experienced pallet, friend or brew club member, and try to diagnose the off flavor. Then chalk one up to learning.

On a side note, have you worked with simcoe before? Maybe you are picking up something from the hop that you just don't like.

 

[Estrada]

Thanks! Yeah I still think I'm going to take it to the end. Is there any harm in doubling up my dry hop addition from 1 to 2 oz? Or pairing it with another hop? Granted the latter destroys the notion of smash...and to your question, if you consider drinking Simcoe IPAs working with them, then yes . Otherwise I haven't. Thanks for the help.

 

[beergolf]

Using a big mouth bubbler - first time and possibly the last. Had a lot of krauzen but little airlock activity.

I do not understand why this is an issue. I have buckets that leak and never show any airlock activity. I have done over 200 brews and guess what? They all have finished up just fine. Airlock activity means nothing. It is just a way for extra pressure to be released. If it goes out because the lid does not seal it is not a problem.

You cannot judge a brew by what it tastes like before bottling unless you have a lot of experience. Go ahead and follow the recipe. Dry hop as planned. Let it sit and then bottle it up. Let it carb and condition and report back three weeks after that. I will bet that your opinion will change.