Could VWP be killing my recent brews?

[Monkeybrew]

I have been brewing for over a year and have done lots of kits, kit adaptations, extract and a BIAB brew.

I have always used Youngs steriliser powder until my last 4 brews, when I switched to VWP (dunno why).

This is where my problems have started, first brew sanitised with VWP was a Coopers APA with hop additions that tasted of naff all at bottling and had an awful dry bitterness that stayed with me for an hour or so. I still bottled and hoped that it was down to my dodgey hop boiling schedule and that it would condition out.

This taste didn't go and the APA has been binned

My 2nd brew that was sanitised with VWP is a Coopers IPA with some hops steeped and dry hopped. This was kegged at the weekend and I just thought that I would draw off a tiny amount to see if it was carbonating, and to my horror there was no real flavour and that awful bitterness again!

I also fear for my 2 current brews that have also been sterilised with VWP.

I rinse everthing thoroughly 3 or 4 times like I did with the Youngs stuff, but never had this problem before.

I certainly won't be using it again until I have tested my current 2 brews.

[staplefordbill]

I think it's a red herring. I have a tub of both VWP and the Young's steriliser open and use them interchangeably. How much powder do you use? I find 1tsp in 5 litres is fine. Has anything else changed in your brewing? Is your water heavily chlorinated? I can often smell chlorine in the water on brewdays so I crush half a Campden tablet in 23 litres, leave it for a few minutes then carry on.

[Monkeybrew]

I use about 3tsp in 10 litres of water, so maybe too strong? I poured myself a glass of water and smelt it and there is a hint of chlorine, so maybe our water has changed recently.

I suppose the results of my two current brews may answer this question, because the small BIAB batch is made with bottled water and the Euro Lager is made with tap water.

Cheers for your reply

[Monkeybrew]

I am pleased to say that I bottled my BIAB brew last night, and it was tasting good, so maybe its a water thing!

[staplefordbill]

I am pleased to say that I bottled my BIAB brew last night, and it was tasting good, so maybe its a water thing!

That's great news!