Bottled/primed my Edme stout eight days back. I decided to try some yesterday (I know it is early!).
In the glass it looks good, blacker than black with a nice big head although the head was not as creamy as the commercial stuff. The taste is more Murphys than Guinness but that is a good thing... However I have two questions:
The stout is slightly carbonated which feels a bit strange but not entirely unpleasant. Just feels like a cross with a stout and an ale. Is this carbonation normal with home brew stout, and will it improve with some more time in the bottle?
The head whilst initially being impressive only lasted half way down the pint. Again is this normal and to be expected with home brewing or will it improve with time?
Edme stout results & questions
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OldSpeckledBadger
- Under the Table
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Re: Edme stout results & questions
Were you expecting the creamy texture of Guinness? You won't quite get that with naturally-carbonated beer because Guinness uses a CO2/Nitrogen mix with gives smaller bubbles and a smoother taste (I believe smooth-flow bitters use the same idea). You could probably do the same if you used a cornie and the correct gas mixture.
Best wishes
OldSpeckledBadger
OldSpeckledBadger
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Barm
Re: Edme stout results & questions
xpers -
this is exactly what I was getting at with my post to your previous EDME thread - and my own thread too.
In (partial, as I'm still experimenting myself) answer to your questions: yes - carbonation's normal (because you primed the bottles); and no - I don't think it will improve with time. I found quite the opposite in fact.
My previous bottled stout started off just like yours: but over a period of some months the carbonation steadily increased - the final bottles foamed like pouring coke, even after being heavily chilled before opening. So I'd say don't hang about: get 'em drunk! Unless you like stout fire extinguishers.
This is all the reason why my current brew is destined for the keg, which is now handily equipped with G-mix gas; and why I'm pondering whether to reduce or omit the priming sugars.
this is exactly what I was getting at with my post to your previous EDME thread - and my own thread too.
In (partial, as I'm still experimenting myself) answer to your questions: yes - carbonation's normal (because you primed the bottles); and no - I don't think it will improve with time. I found quite the opposite in fact.
My previous bottled stout started off just like yours: but over a period of some months the carbonation steadily increased - the final bottles foamed like pouring coke, even after being heavily chilled before opening. So I'd say don't hang about: get 'em drunk! Unless you like stout fire extinguishers.
This is all the reason why my current brew is destined for the keg, which is now handily equipped with G-mix gas; and why I'm pondering whether to reduce or omit the priming sugars.
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cwrw gwent
- Lost in an Alcoholic Haze
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Re: Edme stout results & questions
Hi Xpers,
Hope your birthday went well.
Your EDME stout will no doubt improve provided you leave it a lot longer and as it is only slightly carbonated it sounds OK to me. Meanwhile, try cooling a pint to about 10C, pouring it into a jug and then tip it into a pint glass from a height of six inches or so. This will dissapate a lot of the excess gas and create a head akin to that of Guinness/Beamish/Murphys. You won't be able to pour it all in one fell swoop - pour as much as will go in the glass, wait a minute for the head to die down, then repeat. The result should be a smooth cool pint with a superb head.
Hope your birthday went well.
Your EDME stout will no doubt improve provided you leave it a lot longer and as it is only slightly carbonated it sounds OK to me. Meanwhile, try cooling a pint to about 10C, pouring it into a jug and then tip it into a pint glass from a height of six inches or so. This will dissapate a lot of the excess gas and create a head akin to that of Guinness/Beamish/Murphys. You won't be able to pour it all in one fell swoop - pour as much as will go in the glass, wait a minute for the head to die down, then repeat. The result should be a smooth cool pint with a superb head.
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xpers
Re: Edme stout results & questions
I am a newbie and I hadn't thought of doing that but I have to say a big thank you as it has made all the difference. The pint is way more smooth with almost zero carbonation, pretty much like the commercial stuff. The head is still not making it all the way down but I think next time I will make it with 1KG dark spray malt instead of BKE.cwrw gwent wrote:Hi Xpers,
Hope your birthday went well.
Your EDME stout will no doubt improve provided you leave it a lot longer and as it is only slightly carbonated it sounds OK to me. Meanwhile, try cooling a pint to about 10C, pouring it into a jug and then tip it into a pint glass from a height of six inches or so. This will dissapate a lot of the excess gas and create a head akin to that of Guinness/Beamish/Murphys. You won't be able to pour it all in one fell swoop - pour as much as will go in the glass, wait a minute for the head to die down, then repeat. The result should be a smooth cool pint with a superb head.
I take on board the leaving it a while but with double pouring, it isn't going to last as it is lovely right now. I have a couple of 2L bottles which I may put away for a few weeks to see though.
Birthday was a low-key affair due to a nasty cold but still had a nice day and my two year old made me a nice card which made my day.
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steve-59
Re: Edme stout results & questions
Hi,
I've got a pressure barrel of EDME Irish stout maturing / conditioning now, its been in the keg for about 2 weeks, made with 1Kg of BKE. When I tasted it after a week or so it was very sweet but has improved quickly and now tastes v nice, but owing to the sweetness, if I was bottleing I might not add any priming sugar.
I was thinking that maybe when the keg has about 12 pints left, i might try to bottle some of it to save for a bit longer, can you do that ?? and how long would it last ?
I've got a pressure barrel of EDME Irish stout maturing / conditioning now, its been in the keg for about 2 weeks, made with 1Kg of BKE. When I tasted it after a week or so it was very sweet but has improved quickly and now tastes v nice, but owing to the sweetness, if I was bottleing I might not add any priming sugar.
I was thinking that maybe when the keg has about 12 pints left, i might try to bottle some of it to save for a bit longer, can you do that ?? and how long would it last ?