My first disaster ...

[drbell]

I'm gutted. I finally had to bin the Linthwaite Light I bottled some time again. The autolysis had ruined it, so I decided to draw the sorry chapter to a close and pour it all down the sink. Thanks to the folks on this forum for explaining what the likely problem was, and for laughing at me for leaving it so long in the bucket

Full details are on my blog:
http://bellsbeer.blogspot.com/

Thankfully this does provide me with bottles and space for my next brew, the Sherwood's Forest Bitter.

[Minus The Bear]

hopefully you will have more luck with the Sherwoods matey!

[drbell]

Thanks. I hope so. The first 2 brews I did have not gone well, for various reasons. The third, a stout, looks like its going to be excellent, so fingers crossed for the 4th - the Forest Bitter.

Ah well, it does mean I learn more than all those boring folks who get it right every time.

[PMH0810]

I feel for you - good luck with future brews; getting it wrong is the only way we learn!

My John Bull Lager is close to taking it's plughole trip - pleasant enough refreshing taste but absolutely flat, with no reason. All other brews bottle conditioned the same way have been sparkling enough, just not this one.

[macleanb]

Good luck - its all part of the learning experience. Had three disasters myself.

Things I have learnt:

1. Cleanliness is next to godliness. My Admirals reserve got infected and tasted of celery.

2. Dont try to cheat! Pitched yeast at 28c (couldnt be arsed to wait for it to cool), runaway, exothermic yeast ferment raised temperature even further - Marmite and nail polish flavoured beer - even worse than celery.

3. Dont dick about too much till you have an idea what you're doing. I used black treacle to prime an ale - far too strong a flavour for the beer style - tastes slightly metallic. I've managed to slowly work my way through 20 pints of this, I think I may bin the rest soon - lifes too short for bad beer.

4. Post a message - the guys on here have so much experience (its coz they're really old ) and they give it so freely.

Enjoy! (Hows the fruit winde coming along?)

[PMH0810]

- lifes too short for bad beer.

Had to re-read your comments - I am oft quoted at work for my line of "Life's too short for sh1t coffee". Never thought of applying it to ale!

[macleanb]

Well - to be fair - it depends on how much beer you have

[Iank]

Sorry to hear that. The remains of my Colne Valley Bitter went down the sink yesterday. The main reason for that was the cap of my budget barrel split - don't know why - assuming the pressure release valve didn't work and the pressure build-up split it.
I wasn't really enjoying the beer anyway and couldn't finish it before oxidation from the cap split ruined it.

One main thing I have learned in my short experience as a homebrewer is to treat the water. Maybe my water needs it more than others, but a crushed campden tablet in the water before it comes into contact with the malt is a golden rule for me now.

[drbell]

Thanks for all the replies.

so far I haven't treated my water. I drink water form the tap all the time and have never had a problem with it, but really I haven't tried it as dont have a second container to keep the water in.

[Minus The Bear]

I just got another fermentation vessel to treat water in, i must say though i never tried without treatment due to the majority of the forum advising against it.

[PMH0810]

I use mineral water for the same reason - no second FV to treat the water in. Seemingly have no problems and Tesco's seel 5ltrs for 75p.

[andywills]

if you think that's a disaster, you want to try 'nicking' a hole in the pressure relief valve rubber on my keg the day after I filled it.

It's bodged together with an elastic band at the moment, waiting for new rubber from easybrew