My First AG - Black Sheep Best Bitter

[Rubbery]

Hi Baz,

As they say up your way... There's nowt so queer as folk

I had the first taste last night: Still a little cloudy, but a good amber colour; little aroma, just a bit beery; a nutty malt taste with a bitter aftertaste. At least it is drinkable ...and can only get better

[micmacmoc]

As we say down here 'Proper Job' you've a nice set up, shame about the high temp ferment but I'll bet its still great. With the reserved stuff. Will it be ok crown capped? I've just bought my first liquid yeast and want it to go further so am toying with doing as you did, never considered capping the reserved stuff, I suppose when its fermented out AND kept in the fridge it should be fine? Great pics, always love seeing other peoples methods, its a matter of constant learning!

[Rubbery]

I have 3 yeasts saved in the fridge with crown tops on now. I bulk them up in a 1L starter for 2 days before a brew and they come out steaming! I don't expect them to last forever, maybe 6 months, then if I like the yeast I may regenerate again.

The beer is improving nicely. Nearly bright now, a faint aroma (sandalwood shavings?), taste like draught Bass used to taste with a Yorkshire edge to it, pleasant light/smooth mouthfeel and a slight bitter aftertaste.

I had a beer drinking chum round on Sunday... this was his least favorite , but he loved my porter (based on Batemans Salem Porter) and my session beer (Goldings/styrians) was disappearing fast

[L2wis]

great post and pics dude! Thanks for sharing them! Update this thread when you do another brew!

[Rubbery]

The beer is properly conditioned now. It is not giving off any funny aroma any more and has cleared as much as it is going to (it has a very slight haze). The taste is good, a bit like Bass and a bit like Black Sheep, but not exceptional. Now the easy bit... drinking it

My next brew is now under way: AG2 Single Hop Challenger IPA

[L2wis]

nice one dude, I'm glad it all worked out good! I'm going to be going for my first AG this Saturday.

[Rubbery]

It has been conditioning for a month now and all harshness has gone, but a slight haze remains. This is now a very pleasant pint and is disappearing fast.

[gnutz2]

Looking and i bet tasting good.

Just a thought, i used protofloc in my first brew and whirlfloc in my second and the first was crystal clear after 2 weeks, the second brew is about there too.

Baz.

[tazuk]

mmmm i think i could make this brew how you layed it out on there looks verry easy to do i hope lol and it looks a cracking pint ps how close it to black sheep as i had some when i was in rippon befour verry nice pint

neil notts

[MMBrewing]

I like the idea of bottling your yeast , I guess you just need to be very careful with sanitising the bottles and crown caps though...

[Rubbery]

tazuk, I've not had the real Black Sheep Best Bitter for so long it is impossible to compare. I have had a few Black Sheep Ale recently, but that is a different beer. Anyway, the recipe makes a very decent beer, even with the high temperature problems I had (it took a few weeks conditioning to rectify). I will try this recipe again one day.

MMBrewing, yes you have to be careful with sanitising everything when bulking up yeast - and always taste it before using it. I think everyone has their own way of saving liquid yeast - this works for me.