This is the last of 4 batches in a Coopers kit before trying AG (an APA fermenting now). It is a Mexican Cerveza and this is the most care I've taken so far; sanitised everything, sterilized bottles in oven, etc. (maybe that's a clue because it tastes like oven-cleaner chemical!). This is not just an off flavor, it's an awful chemical taste. I forced myself to leave it 3 weeks in primary then 1 day in the racking bucket. Tried so hard not to splash during siphoning. Batch primed using boiled table sugar. Tasted at 1, 2, 3 weeks and yuckkk!
This time I'm sure I screwed up!
- Thread starter royco
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Chalk it up to experience and move on.. That's all you can do.
Not sure why it would taste like oven cleaner though, I mean you do cook food in this oven right?
Better luck next time...
Cheers
Jay
Not sure why it would taste like oven cleaner though, I mean you do cook food in this oven right?
Better luck next time...
Cheers
Jay
What are you using to sanitize? If it is bleach, its possible you used too much, and some flavor got into your beer. I don't know that I would describe that as "oven cleaner," but could give a medicinal, Band-Aid-y flavor.
Also, are you using the yeast that came with the kit, or re-using yeast from prior batches. If the latter, you probably should dump the yeast and start with fresh.
Also, are you using the yeast that came with the kit, or re-using yeast from prior batches. If the latter, you probably should dump the yeast and start with fresh.
Thanks guys for the input. It could be chlorine as I used bleach/vinegar (we can't get Star San in South Africa). Maybe used too much because no matter how I rinsed the smell would not go away.
Now discovered Perasan which apparently is a substitute and is no-rinse.
Bleach is officially banished from the brew room!
Now discovered Perasan which apparently is a substitute and is no-rinse.
Bleach is officially banished from the brew room!
Keep in mind that bleach is an effective sanitizer. I've used it for years. You only need a little: I put one capful from a 1/2 gallon jug into my bucket, and fill with water. So that's probably about 1/2 oz in 6.5 gal water. I don't rinse, and have never had off flavors.
I have used more -- I bombed my bucket with it once to remove the stain from inside, but I rinsed very thoroughly immediately afterward.
Any sanitizer (except boiling water) will produce off-flavors if used in too great a quantity.
I have used more -- I bombed my bucket with it once to remove the stain from inside, but I rinsed very thoroughly immediately afterward.
Any sanitizer (except boiling water) will produce off-flavors if used in too great a quantity.
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There is no need to sterilize bottles in an oven. There are also claims that heat could weaken the glass, but with no real evidence.
Yes they should be clean, and if need be, scrubbed with a bottle brush and a detergent such as PBW or Washing Soda (Sodium Carbonate). Then rinsed well (use a bottle jet sprayer that screws to your faucet). Then rinsed again, and allowed to dry if stored. You sanitize them right before you fill them.
I don't know where the bad off-flavors come from, but maybe related to your brewing process, like chlorine or chloramines in your brewing water, as mentioned before, or high fermentation temps.
Campden tablets (potassium or sodium metabisulphite) @1/4 tablet per 5 gallons removes chlorine and chloramines effectively.
Yes they should be clean, and if need be, scrubbed with a bottle brush and a detergent such as PBW or Washing Soda (Sodium Carbonate). Then rinsed well (use a bottle jet sprayer that screws to your faucet). Then rinsed again, and allowed to dry if stored. You sanitize them right before you fill them.
I don't know where the bad off-flavors come from, but maybe related to your brewing process, like chlorine or chloramines in your brewing water, as mentioned before, or high fermentation temps.
Campden tablets (potassium or sodium metabisulphite) @1/4 tablet per 5 gallons removes chlorine and chloramines effectively.
Thanks again and am pleased to hear about oven sterilizing. It's a RPITA and after the 2nd hour my wife suddenly has a culinary crisis and finds something that absolutely HAS TO go in the oven that minute, or we may never eat again. Forsooth, is not ale food enough? Anyway, now have a vinator type bottle sanitizer and Perasan (like Star San) so no more baking.
