OK... So the last pint out of my brew barrel was the best. It has improved the more I have emptied the barrel. It was drunk over a period of 3 weeks.
Is it really better because it has been left for 3 extra weeks? OR is my pallet changing with the brew. ? OR is the bottom pint you pull better for a reason.
Is it really anything to do with how long its left?
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Aleman
- It's definitely Lock In Time
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- Joined: Sun Jun 03, 2007 11:56 am
- Location: Mashing In Blackpool, Lancashire, UK
Re: Is it really anything to do with how long its left?
It is a combination of factors . . . The beer changes with time as redox reactions take place, as yeast falls out of suspension the taste changes. I find it goes through about 4 pahses.
1) Fresh (normally about 1-2 weeks from casking) - nice beer with loads of hop notes
2) Pretty Manky ( 2-6 weeks from casking) - what happened to that great beer?
3) Oh Boy that's great ( 6 Weeks Onward) - Flavours have mellowed and married, to produce an excellent beer.
4) Hurry up and drink it ( Variable depending on beer and conditions) It's past its best now get it drunk to reuse the cask
1) Fresh (normally about 1-2 weeks from casking) - nice beer with loads of hop notes
2) Pretty Manky ( 2-6 weeks from casking) - what happened to that great beer?
3) Oh Boy that's great ( 6 Weeks Onward) - Flavours have mellowed and married, to produce an excellent beer.
4) Hurry up and drink it ( Variable depending on beer and conditions) It's past its best now get it drunk to reuse the cask
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boingy
Re: Is it really anything to do with how long its left?
And don't forget your expectations change too.
I am always a bit disappointed by my first taste of a new brew because I am inevitably sampling it too early and also because I always expect it to be the greatest beer I have ever brewed.
For a fairly "normal" beer in a barrel or cornie I reckon about 6 to 8 weeks is perfect. I don't bottle anything these days but when I did it always seemed to me that bottles benefited from an extra month or so.
I am always a bit disappointed by my first taste of a new brew because I am inevitably sampling it too early and also because I always expect it to be the greatest beer I have ever brewed.
For a fairly "normal" beer in a barrel or cornie I reckon about 6 to 8 weeks is perfect. I don't bottle anything these days but when I did it always seemed to me that bottles benefited from an extra month or so.