Brewing AG but just cant get the 'taste' right ?

[Clint Yeastwood]

Hi,

Brewed a couple of all grain brews recently, the latest one Ive done paying strict attention to Water Treatment and
Mash temp and also using Live yeast from Brewlabs.

The previous 2 , 3-4 weeks out of fermenter are ok-ish, I treat all my water with around 28ml CRS going on the fact that its 234 CaCo3 (I could be wrong but got this figure from someone that lives in the area, will test myself next time!)

Maybe im not using enough hops, maybe the fermentation temp is too high (Latest brew was in a dark room at home lat week but still showed 24.4 -24.9!!!! (I havent got temp controlled room!)
However the latest brew I used over 165gm cascades for a Hop-Head clone

Why are my beers turning out so bland or 'sharp'? is it too dry? are my water treatments wrong?
Ok they are only 3 1/2 weeks old but hmmm Im sure I tasted better when using Asda smartprice water...

Could it really be im adding too much CRS at 28ml?

I think Im going to have to do smaller brews until I start getting a 'perfect' taste.
Not sure where im going wrong as I want a craft-brewed tasted rather than a 'homebrew' taste.

Thanks


Ahh Update, It could be the Fermentation temp...gonna have to try a Large Bucket filled with cold water next time I ferment!

 

[Halite]

The fermentation temp could certainly be a factor 24+ is too high for most styles.

A neat tip for keeping your fermenter cool without having to sit it in a large basin of water is the following. Wet an old t-shirt and place it over your fermenter (so that the fermenter is wearing the t-shirt). Then take one corner of the t-shirt and place it in a jug of water. As the t-shirt drys the water that is evaporating will be replaced by water from the jug.

The thing to remember is to replace the t-shirt every 3-4 days to stop mould growing on it

 

[Muddydisco]

What reicpes have you used? Are they tried and tested one's or your own?

 

[jonewer]

Bland in what way? No malty bland or no hoppy bland? Or is it the mouthfeel and body rather than the taste?

 

[markp]

28ml of CRS....to treat how much liquor??

The figure for alkalinity that you got from your friend could be way off.....even the figure you get from the water board can be miles out. Mine is very variable, and I test before each brew.

There could be a multitude of different reasons that your brews are not what you expect, but as the guys have asked above, you will have to provide more specific information on what you are experiencing.

ATB

 

[corby_brewer]

Ive done 9 AG brew to date and it was only on the last 3 that i started to treat my water. And now all i do is add i teaspoon of gypsum in the mash and another into the copper.

 

[Tony]

Hey Clint .. great name!

I'd suggest sitting on your brews for a while, 3 and a half weeks makes them a baby!

 

[rickthebrew]

I just use some gypsum - same ratio as CB, leaving brews to condition is hard work - but worth it :thumb:

 

[prolix]

clint water is low on the list of causes for something you are saying is a major taste problem.

I would start with mash temp 65 for dry and 68 for more malty beers for the fulll 90mins

next sparging waste a bit of grain lower your efficency stop sparging earlier it is amazing the difference that can make, I can get near to 85% brew house but I don't brew for cheap crap I can buy that, I tend to go for 70% much better beers for what? a hand full of grain.

choose a yeast for your beer and taste the make a huge difference. light hoppy saf 05 dark maltly saf 04 you can play with other yeast when your beer gets there.

sanitation is is clean is it sanitized? there are many off tastes caused by wild yeast and bacteria in a system I have had to ditch a few fermenter in my time due to off tastes. do you have anyone or a brew club that can taste your beer and spot the problem (the London brew club has people who can spot a problem with a single taste (depending on the problem of course))

what does it taste like green, straight from the fermenter? If good then problem lies in the kegs.

honestly see if anyone is local and ask them to taste it and ask for a taste of their brew. will at least give a bench mark.

 

A neat tip for keeping your fermenter cool without having to sit it in a large basin of water is the following. Wet an old t-shirt and place it over your fermenter

What an excellent idea!
I've tried using old towels, but they didn't soak up the water from the reservoir very well, had to keep pouring water over them.

 

[prolix]

micro fibre cloths wick excellently

 

micro fibre cloths wick excellently

What product name do I look for?

 

[prolix]

just type micro fibre towel into ebay :

 

Many thanks Prolix, I'll give it a go!