Fusel/solvent/estery/ethyl acetate problems!!!

[auralabuse]

Was it in a fermentation chamber during the weeks on the fermenter or would it have been subject to external temp fluctuations?. I had the same problem with an ipa. I made a little temp control contraption for the next one and it turned out great

[Bubbles]

Yeast in pkt in spare rm . Not hot not cold

All yeast, even dried, should be stored in the fridge before use. I'm not saying this definitely caused your problem, but it would be one improvement you could make next time in order to stamp out the off flavour. Fresh packet of yeast from your homebrew shop and put it straight into the fridge.

[darren996]

Any chance its your fv? Do you take the tap out and clean and sanitise it. Are there any scrapes that some nasties could be gathering? Get some starsan for your next brew, its great stuff..

[johnrm]

Starsan <> Silver Bullet

[darren996]

I realise that but it is a good bullet to have in you're cleaning and sterilising routine. The foam gives good coverage and can get into scrapes and scratches in plastic fvessels , imho

[johnrm]

Don't forget - Bleach and steam (Depending on whats being Sanitised) are your friends also where a deep clean is required.

[LASERBOY147]

Ty 4 all replies . The reason for my off flavours was fusel alcohol from sressed out yeast having to cope with too much alcohol in sub standard unrehydrated conditions. Not stirred in and  temp possibly slightly too cool to get off the ground quick enough. Made 2 great efforts since. Problem solved case closed cheers all

[Bubbles]

Ty 4 all replies . The reason for my off flavours was fusel alcohol from sressed out yeast having to cope with too much alcohol in sub standard unrehydrated conditions. Not stirred in and  temp possibly slightly too cool to get off the ground quick enough. Made 2 great efforts since. Problem solved case closed cheers all

It's great that you've stamped out the problem, but I wouldn't be so sure the problem was caused by the reasons you've outlined there.

Not rehydrating will reduce your cell count, certainly, but not to any hugely detrimental level. A lot of home brewers don't rehydrate at all, and don't have a problem. I rarely rehydrate when using dried yeast.

Not stirring the dried yeast into the wort will make no difference at all.

Likewise, pitching dried yeast too cool won't cause fusels to develop. It will just result in the fermentation stalling, and if left long enough, infection will start to creep in.

[LASERBOY147]

I hear ye , I'm still thinking the yeast were stressed out , the 2nd brew was high og so that can have a big affect I hear on yeast health. I also read fusel alcohols are produced early on in fermentation.  I'm still not 100% sure how it happened but I've 2 great beers up and running since rehydration the yeast prior to adding . The yeast pkts are also being stored in fridge from now on and any beer over 7% is getting 2 pkts or maybe 1&1/2 at least

[auralabuse]

How was your temp control?, solvent off flavour in my set up came from poor temp control during the summer. The wort temp was too hot and I was left with 20 litres of solvent