'Sherry' tasting beer

[badgerdan]

I've only just started out brewing beer and have my first batch of Coopers Real Ale finishing it's first week in bottles.

Today I tried one of my friends first batch of Coopers Dark Ale which had been in bottles for 3 weeks, however it tasted good except I couldn't help but be bothered abut the constent taste of 'sherry' as if someone had put a few drops of it in there. A bit like a trifle my grans made, can only taste sherry and nothing else.

Is this just the yeast or sugar chosen or the make of kit, or is this just what homebrew beers taste like? Will I expect the same if I start using extract brewing?

Many thanks in advance

[Jim]

That could be oxidation. Is it possible that air has got to your beer after fermentation?