Taste Terminology

[Seabee John]

I've done a fair amount of reading and a little bit of brewing (a dozen or so batches including a few AG) And I've often seen terminology like "off flavors" or "astringent" and the like used. So far I brew beer that falls into two categories 1. that worked... & 2. not so much... I know I've tasted "bad" before, but I don't really know what kind of "bad" it was. It's hard for a noob to know what he's tasting without having an experienced brewer there to point it out and say things like ... (that's a "HSA" off flavor) or (no off flavors here...you just suck at brewing!)

Here's a challenge: Label the bad flavor and then describe it so I've got something to compare my mistakes with.

It's either that or I get addresses and start fedex'n all over the place.
anyone help me out?

 

[chase]

It's either that or I get addresses and start fedex'n all over the place.

We'll ask you to do that only when you make good beers.

I've frequently wished there was a good source of information like this. Maybe this thread will become that source.

I've only had one beer that I know was infected. And, oh my god, it was awful! I don't have the words to describe it fully. Here's a start though: sour like bad milk or vomit, and solventy like paint-thinner.

I was pretty drunk when I opened the beer and had been drinking a big IIPA. So my palate was kind of numb, thankfully. I only got one swig into my mouth before it came right back out. It was that horrible.

However, different infections will likely have different flavors and intensities.

 

[Yooper]

Orfy has posted an off-flavor chart that is really helpful. I 'll see if I can dig it up.

Edit- found it: http://brewingtechniques.com/library/backissues/issue5.6/flavorwheel.html

Also, about 1/2 way down this page is a good description of off-flavors:

http://www.bjcp.org/study.html#trouble

 

[Seabee John]

Orfy has posted an off-flavor chart that is really helpful. I 'll see if I can dig it up.

Edit- found it: http://brewingtechniques.com/library/backissues/issue5.6/flavorwheel.html

Also, about 1/2 way down this page is a good description of off-flavors:

http://www.bjcp.org/study.html#trouble

Yoop,
You're the best. That exactly what I was looking for! Thanks.

 

[david_42]

I'm lucky living where I do. I attended an off-flavor seminar at Oregon State. You might look around for BJCP classes, the seminar I went to was part of the BJCP class, but there were a few open slots, so let others buy their way in. I discovered there are some problems flavors/aromas I can't even detect.

 

[zoebisch01]

Damn I wish our Uni had more interest in brewing. Ice cream and Agriculture, yes, brewing (tmk) no.

 

[fifelee]

This is a great resource I have bookmarked for doctoring beers to identify flavors.
http://www.msu.edu/user/jundtdus/beer_doctoring.htm

Some other good links:
http://www.howtobrew.com/section4/chapter21-2.html
http://www.brew-monkey.com/brewschool/beerwheel.php
http://www.alabev.com/taste.htm
http://byo.com/referenceguide/troubleshooting/

 

[homebrewer_99]

...I attended an off-flavor seminar...

The last one I attended was a homebrew club meeting...lots of bad beers out there and they just don't know it...