SleepySamSlim
Grandmaster Brewer
Ok - Our first batch of Alaskan Amber went like clock work in all areas and tasted very good.
Batch #2 a Nut Brown Ale will go down the sink next week .. I believe a victim of incomplete fermentation. SG at bottling was 1.020 (that was after 5 days in primary and 2+ weeks in secondary) -- after four weeks in the bottle and testing several bottles - tastes like soap. And at bottling it looked good - smelled ok - but tasted not too good and had a lemony front end and was generally not good.
So we are now a bit spooked.
Batch 3 is a Fat Tire clone just finishing 2 weeks in secondary Final SG 1.014 its color is right on and very good clarity. And sampling is good in that it tastes like beer - smells like beer - but certainly is rough --- so we are going to bottle today. I think this batch will be ok but not great. Which is fine as we're still learning.
Batch 4 is my current concern -- its is a slight tweak of batch #1 (less hops for lower IBU - very slight) and is in primary fermentation. Batch 1 was done in the warmer Fall temperatures ripped through primary in 4 days - Secondary 2 weeks FG was 1.015. The current batch had an ok fermentation and at day 4 was at 1.020 with no real signs of bubbling at all for a day. So I added a 1/2 packet of yeast and gave it a good stirring. Much bubbling ensued for a couple of days. SG is now at 1.018 ... and taste test is very positive ... its beer - taste is good.
So my question to the peanut gallery is as we are reaching day 7 in the primary and at 1.018 -- should I rack it or give it a few more days in the Primary ? I believe we are getting back on track - but pouring beer down the drain will be a scarring experience ... I'll have a couple of good beers before proceeding.
What say yea ....
Batch #2 a Nut Brown Ale will go down the sink next week .. I believe a victim of incomplete fermentation. SG at bottling was 1.020 (that was after 5 days in primary and 2+ weeks in secondary) -- after four weeks in the bottle and testing several bottles - tastes like soap. And at bottling it looked good - smelled ok - but tasted not too good and had a lemony front end and was generally not good.
So we are now a bit spooked.
Batch 3 is a Fat Tire clone just finishing 2 weeks in secondary Final SG 1.014 its color is right on and very good clarity. And sampling is good in that it tastes like beer - smells like beer - but certainly is rough --- so we are going to bottle today. I think this batch will be ok but not great. Which is fine as we're still learning.
Batch 4 is my current concern -- its is a slight tweak of batch #1 (less hops for lower IBU - very slight) and is in primary fermentation. Batch 1 was done in the warmer Fall temperatures ripped through primary in 4 days - Secondary 2 weeks FG was 1.015. The current batch had an ok fermentation and at day 4 was at 1.020 with no real signs of bubbling at all for a day. So I added a 1/2 packet of yeast and gave it a good stirring. Much bubbling ensued for a couple of days. SG is now at 1.018 ... and taste test is very positive ... its beer - taste is good.
So my question to the peanut gallery is as we are reaching day 7 in the primary and at 1.018 -- should I rack it or give it a few more days in the Primary ? I believe we are getting back on track - but pouring beer down the drain will be a scarring experience ... I'll have a couple of good beers before proceeding.
What say yea ....