Woodfordes Great Eastern : New smells, using different water

[Grantie]

Good morning ladies and gents

I couldnt find anything which matches my puzzle using the search, apologies if this is a repeat question...!

In my last batch of brew I decided to make the shift to tesco perthshire water from tap water in my beer after I compared the two and felt the tap water had far too much "taste" in it (not unpleasant just a bit "processed" if you follow me)

The reason for this change is, although drinkable : all my brews seem to taste the same and it isn't the sort of taste I would say would rival something I would find in a bottle at a supermarket (Coopers Real ale / coopers IPA / John Bull IPA / brupacks tarwbeir (sp?))

When I say "taste the same" I mean that they are a bit flat and watery for my liking, I like floral or fruity or caramel-y - something you would find in any Badger, Harviestoun or St Austell brew.

I thought maybe the additives in the water were stepping in the way of the taste and overwhelming it so switched.

I have used Woodfordes Great eastern to try it out on and have noted two things that I haven't spotted before in my four brews, I am hoping that this is perfectly normal and I just am not used to them (either because of woodfordes or the new water.)

The fermentation has been very vigourous - bubbling away nicely for a week now.

1. There is a LOT of sediment and it is not as white as usual, it is on the bottom of the carboy and on a little shelved indentation about two inches from the bottom plus the is quite a lot of brown sludge built up on the lid of the carboy (i am used to a brown crust on the upper sides of the carboy, but this has far more "presence"

2. The smell is nothing like any of my beers before, way more "fruity" / "permfumed" ? - not really pleasant but I wouldnt say like vinegar or sour : just, well.....smelly heheh.

Does this sound normal ? Is it possible this is how homebrew is supposed to be, but up until now I have been using rubbish kits / the water has been killing the beer ?

Any feedback appreciated, apologies for length !

[PeteH]

That all sounds good to me. It just sounds like its fermenting really well. The different smell may just be down to the fact its a different kit to those you've tried before. Was there extra hops to add to this kit as in the Woodfords Admirals Reserve? I found the smell to be more medicinal maybe when I did this kit, I think it was just because it was more hoppy. It turned out to be one of the best ever.

[GILBERN]

Hi Grantie - I have only done 3 brew's & I have only used Tesco still water like your self. I am well pleased with the result's. My tap water smell's like swimming pool water, I dont evan drink it.
Nick

[Grantie]

Thanks for the replies gentlemen

Its a tin-only kit, no hops or sugars are added (as part of the kit)

Medicinal is quite a good word for the smell that is coming off of it - i'm probably being silly and it's just the yeast farting !

I think next time i will switch yeasts chief - simply as most of you chaps recommend it (although i have never had a problem with stuck fermentation) I'll start adding extra ingredients once i feel i have a solid base : I would expect at least some hoppyness or fruityness or whatever from one of my previous batches : right now like I say, all of them taste identical and a little wishy washy : I am convinced they could be much better : especially as once person I talked to who had shared two of the same brews as me and didnt have any different ingredients made comparisons of "old speckled hen" and "golden glory" : I havent had anything like that taste from the brews in question.

Glad to hear the tescos water serves you well : it's nice and cheap, i couldnt believe i managed to get a brews worth for £4 !

Our water is ok to drink, but when compared to bottled water it's a million miles away (which is ridiculous considering it is scottish water)

Cheers again for the replies - if I get any results worth reporting I'll let you know here

[fivetide]

It sounds to me like you're craving hops. I know I always seem to bang on about the same thing on the Kit forum, but every kit I've done, especially the Great Eastern which is very nice indeed, benefits form an ounce or so of hops thrown in after primary fermentation. Try Goldings, Cascade, Amarillo, Bramling...