Brewday - 26th April

[BrewBilly]

Chris - so would I, I was reading about it on another forum. Apparently its more efficient than dry hopping and less risk of infecting the brew.

[Bazza]

If it works out, Andy, a wee guide here would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

-Barry

[sub82]

+1 on a wee guide!

[Dunkel]

1) Drink loads of beer
2) Go to toilet/find wall on way home
3) Unzip trousers
4) Take out .. Hold on, don't you guys up North use funny words? 

[sub82]

Haha Dunkel!

Took a while but I got it in the end!

[BrewBilly]

just a quick update on the brewday brew.

So the FV has been bubbling away for about 6 days at around 18C (probably a bit lower) its still going but i think thats to do with the temp. The smell coming through the airlock as it bubbles is really really good - cant wait for the finished brew.

The plan is to bottle next weekend after around 14 days in the FV - gives it time to clear and the yeasties to clear up after themselves. Instead of dry hopping now at 7 days I am going to make a hop tea when I bottle  I plan to do a "How to" while I do it.

Cheers
Andy

[BrewBilly]

Sorry chaps I forgot about the kit brew

As you all know it is the Coopers Brewmaster Selection IPA brewed (see pic) with 1.5kg liquid malt extract and made up to 23 litres, you could brew it short to about 20/21 litres his would give a higher abv but also give better flavour.

So far its been bubbling away light a steam train, it has slowed down now with only a bubble every now and then. I will wait till next weekend before racking it into bottles. I will set aside for the next meet we have.

Hope you all found the brewday informative, any question and advice about equipment are welcome.

Cheers
Andy

[sub82]

Just had a quick taste of the brew. Very nice hoppy bitterness and sweetness to the beer. Gonna dry hop 1g/L Citra and bottle on Thursday.

[Bazza]

I have to admit to not checking mine in over 2 weeks. It's in an un-airlocked bucket with a standard lid and I'm paranoid about lifting the lid until I really need to. Hoping to bottle tomorrow night if it smells okay.

-Barry

[BrewBilly]

Chaps, just finished bottling the brew day beer tonight, I had a wee taste and to be honest I am not sure if I frigged up at some point, I still bottled up everything but still had that problem taste I keep encountering with my AG brews. I didnt put it in the hot press this time but still in the bathroom. I am not sure if the temp fluctuated to much in there or not.

Still very confused to where I went wrong, or if my taste buds are just screwed?

[sub82]

What did it taste like? What sort of temperature fluctuations do you think there were?

[Bazza]

+1 Chris

I don't recall if you brought any of your trouble AG's to any of the last meets but it really does help to have an independent palette try these.
I really don't think temp fluctuations are the issue, not sure if they even were the issue before, unless they've been extreme. In the past I've put funny tastes down to problems with the yeast but this time you and Chris split the same vial and he's had no taste issues.

What about your FV? You been using the same one all along? How clean is it really? Any nicks or rough patches on the inside? Does it have a tap? I stopped using my SS FV a while back because of scratches on the inside that harboured bacteria. Unless the yeast went flying out of the blocks, getting a head start on the nasties, the beer wouldn't come out right at all. Was there a delay in your yeast getting going?

Just a few thoughts but as Chris says, a description of the taste would help.


-Barry

[sub82]

In the past I've put funny tastes down to problems with the yeast but this time you and Chris split the same vial and he's had no taste issues.

That's a really good point Barry - we'll be able to rule a lot of things out as we've both started with the same wort and yeast.

[Bazza]

Finally got around to checking and bottling mine last night.

That Gervin yeast seems to be a great job. Nicely compacted down in the bottom of the FV and the beer was clear as a bell. Lovely amber colour.

If initial tastes are anything to go by, this could be a real winner. Nice fruity citrusy taste, but with a decent full body as well.

Looking forward to comparing the 3, and also looking forward to trying out the kit brew.


-Barry

[sub82]

Sounds good! I'm planning on bottling tomorrow so will keep you posted.