Tasted first sample

[Cajunbrewer87]

My irish red from northern brewer has been in primary for 2 1/2 weeks. I just pulled a sample(1.010) and tasted it. It actually tasted pretty good and I didn't notice any off flavors. However the bitterness at the end was pretty harsh. Should I bottle at the 3 week mark or wait an extra week? Will the bitterness mellow out after bottle conditioning?

 

[flars]

Take another sample in two or three days. If the SG is the same, and the beer has cleared, you are ready to bottle.

Could the bitterness be astringency from tannins caused by heating the grains over 170°F or fusel alcohols from a high initial fermentation temperature?

 

[Cajunbrewer87]

Thanks for the reply. It was an extract kit and I kept the temperature at 63 from the moment I pitched until the bubbling stopped then I bumped it up to 65. It was still drinkable for sure, I just wasnt expecting that much bitterness from an Irish red

 

[flars]

The bitterness, since it hasn't been caused by tannin extraction or fusel alcohols, should mellow with a few weeks of bottle conditioning.

I have brewed this one a few times, and will do another for St. Patrick's day. I usually allow four weeks of conditioning in the bottle before chilling. My wife selected it to go with the corned beef brisket boil.

 

[Cajunbrewer87]

Awesome. This is actually my first brew and I cant wait to taste the finished product. I read reviews that said to condition for four weeks as well, so I'll be sure to do that