mychalg9
Well-Known Member
OP, I have had similar issues with my latest couple of batches. My extract beers had some kind of off flavor and my two all grain batches have had different off flavors, but possibly they all stem from the same "problem" in my process. Originally I thought my off flavors were from overcooking the liquid extract so I added the extract near the end of the boil instead. Then I thought it was just extract "twang", so I decided to move up to AG, using the BIAB method. After my first AG, which tasted bitter/sour, I did a lot of research and made a lot of changes to my system. I got a chiller, a swamp cooler, and got water from the store instead of using tap water. This last AG batch I did tasted good before going into the fermenter but it A)seems to have stuck at 1.025 when it should finish at ~1.012 and B)Still has the funky off flavor(s). I'm hoping when it ferments out fully that the taste will be gone, but Im not holding my breath. The first AG I did over a year ago and the taste is still there, so it doesnt age out. I get a decent Pale Ale flavor profile immediately upon sipping it, but the finish and aftertaste is really dry and bitter. I've since bought a new fermenting bucket, thinking mine may be infected, and a digital thermometer to make sure my mash temps are accurate. I also suspect that I need to aerate better than I have been, which may be a contributing cause to all 4 batches turning out bad, as well as the fact that I just pitch the dry yeast without rehydrating. This latest batch I did a 2.5 gallon Pale Ale and pitched the packet directly, so I think I should have had enough yeast (I may be wrong though), but possibly didnt aerate well enough.
You may want to look into getting new bottles to use, as well as a new fermenting bucket and hoses in case they are infected. Also maybe look into aerating your wort much better and making sure you pitch the right amount of yeast, or at least rehydrate it.
You may want to look into getting new bottles to use, as well as a new fermenting bucket and hoses in case they are infected. Also maybe look into aerating your wort much better and making sure you pitch the right amount of yeast, or at least rehydrate it.