Hi,
I am a new BIAB brewer, doing small batches (1-2 gallons). Started with Brooklyn Brewing kit and then moved on to brewing scaled down recipes from books.
I've made about 8-9 batches, all grain, biab, all ales with US-05 that I let hydrate; also made a small starter with one to see if that made a difference - nope.
Each batch is having an off flavor that seems to be picked up after fermentation. When I transfer the wort to the bottling pot and check the OG, also taste the sample a bit and the taste is pretty decent. No discernable off flavors at that time, as far as I know.
But something seems to happen between adding priming sugar, through bottling, through conditioning, and finally trying the beer and a medicinal, not too strong but strong enough off smell. Maybe plastic-like? Overly malty? Hop-to-malt ratio off?
This last one was a SMaSH with 2-row (100% of grain bill), Cascade @ 60, 15, 1 min (15 grams each time). But no matter the recipe it seems to develop the same off smell, taste. Maybe even earthy? Hard to describe.
I have direct control over fermentation temps (converted small fridge) so I know that's not the issue. I sanitize all my equipment before and after each use.
Could it be due to my reusing older bottles? I clean them out but haven't replaced them in a year or so. Soak in oxyclean, then rinse, then sanitize then bottle?
Any ideas I can try? I LOVE brewing and want to get this process down and actually make some good enough to share!
Please let me know and I'll provide any info needed to help identify issues!
I do add campden tablets to all water before! Have tried both bottled spring water from the store, as well as tap - both give the same result.
I am a new BIAB brewer, doing small batches (1-2 gallons). Started with Brooklyn Brewing kit and then moved on to brewing scaled down recipes from books.
I've made about 8-9 batches, all grain, biab, all ales with US-05 that I let hydrate; also made a small starter with one to see if that made a difference - nope.
Each batch is having an off flavor that seems to be picked up after fermentation. When I transfer the wort to the bottling pot and check the OG, also taste the sample a bit and the taste is pretty decent. No discernable off flavors at that time, as far as I know.
But something seems to happen between adding priming sugar, through bottling, through conditioning, and finally trying the beer and a medicinal, not too strong but strong enough off smell. Maybe plastic-like? Overly malty? Hop-to-malt ratio off?
This last one was a SMaSH with 2-row (100% of grain bill), Cascade @ 60, 15, 1 min (15 grams each time). But no matter the recipe it seems to develop the same off smell, taste. Maybe even earthy? Hard to describe.
I have direct control over fermentation temps (converted small fridge) so I know that's not the issue. I sanitize all my equipment before and after each use.
Could it be due to my reusing older bottles? I clean them out but haven't replaced them in a year or so. Soak in oxyclean, then rinse, then sanitize then bottle?
Any ideas I can try? I LOVE brewing and want to get this process down and actually make some good enough to share!
Please let me know and I'll provide any info needed to help identify issues!
I do add campden tablets to all water before! Have tried both bottled spring water from the store, as well as tap - both give the same result.