What is wrong with my beer

[Kingfish]

So oxidation isn't my issue?

Highly unlikely.

What yeast are you using?

At what temp are you fermenting and is it stable?

What is your fermentation environment (fridge, closet, swamp cooler, bathtub, basement, etc.)?

What hops are you using, where did you source them and how old are they?

Are you dry hopping?

 

[jawilson20]

Highly unlikely.

What yeast are you using?

At what temp are you fermenting and is it stable?

What is your fermentation environment (fridge, closet, swamp cooler, bathtub, basement, etc.)?

What hops are you using, where did you source them and how old are they?

Are you dry hopping?

I ferment in an upright freezer controlled at between 65 and 70. Yeast has been wyeast 1056. A variety of hops have been used and sources from my local shop (Brewnasters Warehouse) and other online vendors.

 

[whirlybirds]

I got some weird flavors in some of my beers I kegged a few times. After the first off flavor beer I got, I've always filled a few bottles before kegging just to make sure there wasn't a problem with the kegs (used kegs off of EBay) If no one here can pinpoint your problem, you might want to give that a try with the next few batches you make.

 

[grimstuff]

CO2 is heavier than O2. It will blanket the beer and prevent O2 from doing the bad thing.

+1

Yesterday I dry hopped into my primary full of DIPA, opening the lid just enough to toss the hops in, then closed it. In less than 5 seconds the airlock bubbled again. If the primary had filled with O2 I doubt this would have happened.

 

[Jwood]

You need to give us your whole detailed process from sanitation to when you pull that first pint. Everything, in one long list. It is a huge guessing game until you do that because musty and stale are typically oxidation, but it looks like you have that covered. Just list it out, your entire brewin process, and that should help us a little. I know there is nothing more frustrating than what you are going though.

 

[solbes]

Well if it can be described as "soapy" that could easily be explained with your cleaning regimen. I'm assuming you don't use soap to clean brew kettles, racking canes, fermenters, carboys, bottling buckets, bottles, or kegs? If you do, I would only use a really low perfumed/no scent variety and make SURE that its very well rinsed out. A little residual soap can be detected quite easily.

The only thing I use soap for is my brew kettle. It's aluminum, so I can't use Oxyclean/StarSan like I do for everything else. But I rinse it out like 10 times.

 

[jawilson20]

Well if it can be described as "soapy" that could easily be explained with your cleaning regimen. I'm assuming you don't use soap to clean brew kettles, racking canes, fermenters, carboys, bottling buckets, bottles, or kegs? If you do, I would only use a really low perfumed/no scent variety and make SURE that its very well rinsed out. A little residual soap can be detected quite easily.

The only thing I use soap for is my brew kettle. It's aluminum, so I can't use Oxyclean/StarSan like I do for everything else. But I rinse it out like 10 times.

As I can't put a word to the smell I ask her repeatedly until she gives me something so I can pass it along to you all. So soapy may only have come about by me demanding an adjective.

 

[jawilson20]

Honestly I am at a loss and extremely unmotivated. Considering selling everything.

 

[Minjin]

Use the glass carboy to see if it changes anything. Change to a different style of beer and see if it continues....

 

[kicary]

you do realize that the definition of insanity is repeatedly doing the same actions and expecting different results. Sometimes, the best way to solve an issue is to clear the desk and start over. Perhaps it's time to get new buckets, hoses etc. I know its not cheap and sucks, but honestly if I was getting the same results using the same equipment I would just get new equipment. THEN if the problem still exists..voila you have the capacity to fix the problem AND double the opportunity to brew MORE BEER.

 

[jawilson20]

you do realize that the definition of insanity is repeatedly doing the same actions and expecting different results. Sometimes, the best way to solve an issue is to clear the desk and start over. Perhaps it's time to get new buckets, hoses etc. I know its not cheap and sucks, but honestly if I was getting the same results using the same equipment I would just get new equipment. THEN if the problem still exists..voila you have the capacity to fix the problem AND double the opportunity to brew MORE BEER.

Agreed. That's why I built the Brutus 10!

 

[WooHokie]

You need to give us your whole detailed process from sanitation to when you pull that first pint. Everything, in one long list. It is a huge guessing game until you do that because musty and stale are typically oxidation, but it looks like you have that covered. Just list it out, your entire brewin process, and that should help us a little. I know there is nothing more frustrating than what you are going though.

+1. Do this!

 

[slatorian]

+1 on the trying to set aside some bottles of it. You have to rule everything out. I may not be incredibly experienced as a brewer (yet!) but I do know the process of problem solving. before you can fix something you have to find the problem.

 

[Mb2658]

Don't give up. You have far too nice of a rig to just throw in the towel. What are you using to sanitize? I was talking to a friend who kept on having problems with his beer and found out that an infection was caused by a small gasket in his conical that he didn't know existed. I agree with the suggestion of trying a batch with RO water to rule out water issues. What styles of beers did you have success with?

 

[jtkratzer]

So you're getting the funky smell/taste before kegging? Did you change all the o-rings on your kegs?