What am I doing wrong

chrisstrong_86 · Post by **chrisstrong_86** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 3:05 pm

OK, So far I have done three beer kits and each one has gone worng!

The first two I did were (before I knew anything about brewing)
A youngs Lager (which had an ale yeast)
and a Geordie Bitter

Both beers were lacking somewhat in body and more importantly had a strong astringent flavour that lingered far more than any usual hoppy bitterness.

After these two kits I researched far more into homebrew came across this forum and followed Daab's kit instructions.

The next kit i did was the Wherry BItter
I was far more carefull, everything sanitized and thoroughly rinsed, 1/2 camden tablet in brewing liquor to de-chlorinate, good brewing temperature approx 17-21 and primed with geordies beer enhancer,

then conditioned in celler.
Gravity was fine with supplied yeast, approx 1015.

I've just tried the wherry, Loads more body very good head, but again there is that horrible astringent bitterness that lingers and intensifies after each sip.

so please help me and tell me where i'm going wrong.

I expect it may be the water, which is rather unpallatable here, so for my next kit (brupacks fixby gold) I am going to use sainsburys table water.

Cheers,
Chris

Im pretty pissed because my mate just does the wherry beer kit, doesnt use a hydrometer or monitor room temperature or use spray malt, and his kits have all turned out nice!

PieOPah · Post by **PieOPah** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 3:57 pm

Normally you would associate an astringent taste if you have over sparged (leeched those unwanted tannins).

I would guess that the problem is down to you water supply. How easy would it be for you to transfer sufficient water from your mates so you could brew? Might be worth seeing if that makes a difference for you.

Post by **Andy** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 4:02 pm

Is your mate on a different water supply to you ?

PieOPah · Post by **PieOPah** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 4:05 pm

Andy wrote:Is your mate on a different water supply to you ?

My bad, I just assumed they would be on different water supplies

Post by **Andy** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 4:07 pm

I would imagine he is on a different supply PoP, just wanted to make sure

chrisstrong_86 · Post by **chrisstrong_86** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 4:28 pm

Yeah sorry, I'm at uni in huddersfield, and my friend is down south in colchester(essex)
So completely different water!

Sometimes our water tastes so bad and smells like swimming pools!
Tho its not hard water

Chris

chrisstrong_86 · Post by **chrisstrong_86** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 4:50 pm

Maybe, but our water still tastes 'funny' even after running through a brita!

Chris

mysterio · Post by **mysterio** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 4:54 pm

chrisstrong_86 wrote:Maybe, but our water still tastes 'funny' even after running through a brita!

Chris

Most likely this is your problem then! I think you're right to buy some table water.

Jymbo · Post by **Jymbo** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 2:43 pm

This is the same problem I've had with kits. I've done an Admiral's Reserve, Scommonden Dark and a Fixby Gold, and each of them has had the astringent aftertaste that you refer to. However, the water from my tap is quite palatable, so I've no idea what the problem is. I would hate to have to give up homebrew after buying all the kit, but I'm not sure what to do. I have been meticulous with my sterilising and rinsing. Is it possible to have unsuitable water for brewing which tastes OK as drinking water?

pongobilly · Post by **pongobilly** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 3:20 pm

i have found that the taste your decribing goes away if you leave the bottles to mature for a while

Jymbo · Post by **Jymbo** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 9:58 am

Thanks, DaaB,

I'll see if I can find out a bit about the content of the water locally. I have an Almondbury Old kit in the cupboard, I'll maybe try that with some supermarket water. Is mineral water OK, or should I go for the table water variety?

Jymbo

Chiltern Brewer · Post by **Chiltern Brewer** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 11:38 am

Could this be yeast bite? To paraphrase Wheeler - unpleasant, intense bitterness, powerful cheesy odour? Caused by poor yeast performance, too higher fermentation temperature (been there), inadequate aeration at the start, storing casks at too higher temperature, sudden chilling.

chrisstrong_86 · Post by **chrisstrong_86** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 7:54 pm

I dont think so, as i had a sneak preview of the beer before it went into the basement (12 C approx) and the astringency was evident even then

Oh and regarding rinsing, I rinsed and rinsed and rinsed like 6 times!, but to be sure its not that, im going for the soda crystals then betadine treatment on my next brew.

Chris

Chiltern Brewer · Post by **Chiltern Brewer** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 10:23 pm

How does boiled and cooled water compare to the same stuff straight out of the tap? I guess if you're a student you don't drink much water normally.

Perhaps when you're looking for digs next year you should put "quality of tap water for brewing" on your list of requirements.

chrisstrong_86 · Post by **chrisstrong_86** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 4:09 am

I'm also getting a killer head off this wherry, dont know if thats a sign of anything. (very thick head from just an inch from the bottom of glass right to the top, this greadually settles and leaves a mr whippy style head!)

Just to let you all know, I started the brupacks Fixby Gold Yesterday as per the famous Daab's instructions. Used sainsburys table water as I dont have a car and its close!

Made yeast starter the day before, and yeast got off to a good start and were very happy the next day in their new habitat.

Temp is aprox 17-20 varying, no higher.

Oh and i sanatised with betadine after cleaning with soda crystals, those things work a treat!.

Wish me luck

Chris

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What am I doing wrong

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