What am I doing wrong

[eryk4381]

I have brewed many batches so far and I mostly like to make IPA. I have done a Big Swell clone, an IPA with a ridiculous amount of hops and all have lowish type body with this sweet taste. I'm starting OG at around 1.068-82 and finishing in the teens. Why does it still taste sweet with not alot of body? (By body I mean heavyness like a Ninkasi Total abomination has alot of body)
I just finished an Imperial IPA and I'm just hoping it doesn't come out the same.

What I have repeated in the recipes:
1 lb of DME (usually dark or light)
Yeast is usually WPL002
.85 of a cup of priming sugar
Mashing at about 150
Fermenting around 2 wks dependent upon gravity
Bottled and sat for minimum of 2 weeks before testing

I hope someone can help with my next batch or maybe is running into the same issue.

Thank you

 

[Dan]

If you want more body 150 is the wrong mash temp. Low temps will make a beer more fermentable, lighter body not fuller. Sweetness could be coming from to much crystal.

 

[Donner]

I have brewed many batches so far and I mostly like to make IPA. I have done a Big Swell clone, an IPA with a ridiculous amount of hops and all have lowish type body with this sweet taste. I'm starting OG at around 1.068-82 and finishing in the teens. Why does it still taste sweet with not alot of body? (By body I mean heavyness like a Ninkasi Total abomination has alot of body)
I just finished an Imperial IPA and I'm just hoping it doesn't come out the same.

What I have repeated in the recipes:
1 lb of DME (usually dark or light)
Yeast is usually WPL002
.85 of a cup of priming sugar
Mashing at about 150
Fermenting around 2 wks dependent upon gravity
Bottled and sat for minimum of 2 weeks before testing

I hope someone can help with my next batch or maybe is running into the same issue.

Thank you

can you post the whole recipe? It'd difficult to see what could cause the sweetness if you say you are hitting your numbers. As was said, mash temp changes body, but you'd think you'd have less sweetness if you were producing so many fermentables.

 

[eryk4381]

Heres the full recipe

IPA-EJ
Brew Type: All Grain
Style: India Pale Ale
Batch Size: 5.50 gal
Boil Volume: 6.30 gal
Brewhouse Efficiency: 75.0 %
Date: 3/21/2012
Brewer: Eric
Assistant Brewer:
Boil Time: 60 min
Brewing Steps

Check Time Step
3/21/2012 Clean and prepare equipment.
--Measure ingredients, crush grains.
--Prepare 8.10 gal water for brewing
--
Prepare Ingredients for Mash
Amount Item Type
12.00 lb Pale Malt (2 Row) Bel (3.0 SRM) Grain
2.00 lb Caramel/Crystal Malt -20L (20.0 SRM) Grain
1.00 lb Munich Malt -10L (10.0 SRM) Grain
--WARNING: Preheat Mash Tun -No equipment adjustments made!
2 min
Mash Ingredients
Mash In: Add 18.75 qt of water at 161.4 F
45 min -Hold mash at 150.0 F for 45 min
--Batch Sparge Round 1: Sparge with 3.41 gal of 168.0 F water.
--Add water to achieve boil volume of 6.30 gal
--Estimated Pre-boil Gravity is: 1.072 SG with all grains/extracts added
Boil for 60
min
Start to Boil
Amount Item Type
1.00 lb Extra Light Dry Extract (3.0 SRM) Dry Extract
1.00 oz Amarillo Gold [8.50%] (60 min) Hops
1.00 oz Northern Brewer [8.50%] (60 min) Hops
30 min into
boil
Add 1.50 oz Chinook [13.00%] (30 min)
30 min into
boil
Add 0.50 oz Cascade [5.50%] (30 min)
50 min into
boil
Add 0.50 oz Chinook [13.00%] (10 min)
--Cool wort to fermentation temperature
--Add water (as needed) to achieve volume of 5.50 gal
--Siphon wort to primary fermenter and aerate wort.
--
Add Ingredients to Fermenter
Amount Item Type
1 Pkgs California Ale (White Labs #WLP001) Yeast-Ale
3/21/2012 Measure Original Gravity: ________ (Estimate: 1.082 SG)
3/21/2012 Measure Batch Volume: ________ (Estimate: 5.50 gal)
7 days Ferment in primary for 7 days at 68.0 F
3/28/2012 Transfer to Secondary Fermenter
7 days Ferment in secondary for 7 days at 68.0 F

 

[eryk4381]

If you want more body 150 is the wrong mash temp. Low temps will make a beer more fermentable, lighter body not fuller. Sweetness could be coming from to much crystal.

So you think Mashing at about 158?
Less percentage of Crystal?
I used only about 1lb

 

[Dan]

So you think Mashing at about 158?
Less percentage of Crystal?
I used only about 1lb

Yes I think that is heading in the right direction. I had the same problem with the sweetness when I used to much crystal. Next batch cut down the crystal like you said and 158 might be a little high. I'd try 155. Those two changes should change things up a bit and you'll have a better idea and be able to tweak from there.

EDIT: You used only about one pound or do you mean next batch only use one pound? Recipe says two.

 

[eryk4381]

Yes I think that is heading in the right direction. I had the same problem with the sweetness when I used to much crystal. Next batch cut down the crystal like you said and 158 might be a little high. I'd try 155. Those two changes should change things up a bit and you'll have a better idea and be able to tweak from there.

EDIT: You used only about one pound or do you mean next batch only use one pound? Recipe says two.

oops your right. I will try and use less then and see how it all works out