I've read plenty of threads where homebrew experts have advised us new brewers to let the bottles sit undisturbed. I have to admit, I always read that thinking, "Sure, but that won't fix my earliest attempts where I really screwed up. That advice is for other people."
My first brew about 6 months ago was a belgian strong ale extract kit. I didn't use a starter. I fermented for 2 weeks at 84 degrees. I bottled and left them for another 2 weeks at the same temperature. I did a lot of things wrong, like many do when they first start out.
It produced something that was quite frankly hard to drink, even for someone as passionate about beer than I am. My palate became quiet sensitive to the esters and the sweetness, so I decided to move on to a new brew (which I also screwed up for all of the same reasons) intending but never getting around to throwing these away. Fast forward 6 months. It's bottling night and as I crack open my first beer, I realize I mistakenly have refrigerated one of my first brews. It's not impressive compared to my more recent brews, but the degree to which it has improved is AMAZING!
It has gone from something I would have poured down the drain, to something quite drinkable. Mild flavor characteristics with no ethers and very little sweetness. So as many wise brewers have said before me, if it doesn't taste good give it more time. RDWHAHB.
My first brew about 6 months ago was a belgian strong ale extract kit. I didn't use a starter. I fermented for 2 weeks at 84 degrees. I bottled and left them for another 2 weeks at the same temperature. I did a lot of things wrong, like many do when they first start out.
It produced something that was quite frankly hard to drink, even for someone as passionate about beer than I am. My palate became quiet sensitive to the esters and the sweetness, so I decided to move on to a new brew (which I also screwed up for all of the same reasons) intending but never getting around to throwing these away. Fast forward 6 months. It's bottling night and as I crack open my first beer, I realize I mistakenly have refrigerated one of my first brews. It's not impressive compared to my more recent brews, but the degree to which it has improved is AMAZING!
It has gone from something I would have poured down the drain, to something quite drinkable. Mild flavor characteristics with no ethers and very little sweetness. So as many wise brewers have said before me, if it doesn't taste good give it more time. RDWHAHB.