Newbie question... odd after taste

TheDuke

Thanks again to everyone for helping me allong...

so I opened the first bottle;

> there was a small but of yeast sediment showing in the bottom (presume that's ok)
> with a very clear pfffffft sound (nice)
> and small bubles appeared (extra nice)
> I then poured it with a gorgous looking head though not great retention (still nice)
> the first sip had a really rich flavour (my OG was 80 as I boiled off too much water) but then within second there is a bitter/soury/yeasty after taste - I can't quite put my finger on it but I'm sure you know what I mean

Is this why it is advise to do a two stage fermentation? Or does it need more time in the bottle. Is this not all yeast having settled out of it?

Thanks for help - if it wasn't for the 'twang' this would have been a great tasting beer... although there is a nice buzz from it so not all is lost... ;-)

The Duke

RasTa

Kit beers generally take 6 weeks in bottle before they are drinkable

TheDuke

I did quite an elaborate homebrew... but good to hear... patience... not one of my virtues mind you...

Bogwoppit

With an OG that high I'd recommend at least 3 months before opening.

TheDuke

I'm going to produce stuff on three month cycles then... hopefully it will be work the wait...

lee_baby_simms

Did you use VWP steriliser?

TheDuke

religously... one short of scrubbing myself down with it.... this is deffo the aging thing... I had to store away my bottles as they where taking over the small bathroom (precaution against exploding bottles)... and one wouldn't fit in the box... so i thought 'hey, why not' and this one already taste better...

lee_baby_simms

TheDuke wrote: »

religously... one short of scrubbing myself down with it.... this is deffo the aging thing... I had to store away my bottles as they where taking over the small bathroom (precaution against exploding bottles)... and one wouldn't fit in the box... so i thought 'hey, why not' and this one already taste better...

You may have inadvertently caused some VWP to come in contact with your brew. This causes a sour, medicinal taste. Happened to me once.

Hopefully they just need some time in the bottle.

TheDuke

huh... interresting... I did go overkill on sterilising everything as everyone warned about the 'nasties' getting in... didn't think VWP would cause an issue... will rinse more thorough... thanks!

lee_baby_simms

TheDuke wrote: »

huh... interresting... I did go overkill on sterilising everything as everyone warned about the 'nasties' getting in... didn't think VWP would cause an issue... will rinse more thorough... thanks!

I recommend investing in some Star San and a spraybottle instead of using VWP. Very effective at killing bugs, no need to rinse and no danger of off flavours.

TheDuke

Thanks... I thought they where the same thing... learning every day.

Lovely Bloke

StarSan is great stuff, after spending a year using Milton, I switched to StarSan in February and haven't had an infection or off flavour since.

TheDuke

Good to know... Ordered some...