First AG Brew - seems too bitter

[EasyDean]

Hi All

i'm on day 12 of primary fermentation of an all grain 'mashkit' from brupaks - Bavarian Pilsner - which comes with crushed grain, a vac-pac of hops and a brewferm lager yeast.

Im reasonably confident that I did everything right (wort chilling and all).

My gravity is about 1015 - which I think (very happy to be corrected :)) Im ready to bottle.

After I took my hydrometer reading, I thought I'd take a quick sip of the brew.

On the one hand it tasted very 'Pilsner like', but on the other hand it seemed extremely bitter.

Does this bitterness mellow out during bottle conditioning ?
The hops were supplied as part of a kit, so I'm reasonably confident that I used the correct amount (although the instructions just said 'boil hops' rather than 'measure out some hops and then boil' - which infers that all the hops get boiled.

I'm slightly confused - can anyone help ?

Dean

 

[BarnsleyBrewer]

How many g's of hops did you use, which variety??

BB

 

[EasyDean]

I didnt bother weighing the hops as I assumed that it was the right amount

Ive seen the brupaks 100g vac-pac hops and the amount I received seemed to be between 60-80% in size, so I guess around 60-80 grams.
When I took them out of the bag it was '2 handfuls' and when they went into the boiler they immediately formed a 1inch think blanket on the wort before I stirred them in.
When I drained the boiler (which had an integral hop strainer) there was a good half inch of hop mush in the bottom. The boiler is an brupaks enameled one which is quite wide.

As for the variety, the mash kit gave no information on this.

Sorry if the info is vague - but it's all I have



Dean

 

[Tony]

I've always found that the bitterness fades over time - even over the two weeks min bottle conditioning. (Which can be annoying)

I wouldn't worry, sit back and wait for it to be ready to sample and I'm sure it will be fine. I can't imagine that they would give you the wrong amount.

What's the worst that can happen? You could give brewdog a run for their money!

 

[EasyDean]

Sounds like good advice - I'll just relax and try it when it's ready


Thanks

Dean

 

[BarnsleyBrewer]

Hi,
Your better off buying your stuff from a guy that uses this forum...Paul at BarleyBottom, good fresh malt and hops at a very good price!

BB

 

[evanvine]

As Tony says the bitterness does fade as the beer matures.
This is a blessing to me, but if you like the hoppy taste it's a no no. (happy for me, sad for others)

 

[jonewer]

Unhoppily, the bitterness does fade with time.

You should weigh your hops. I once had a pack of fuggles that said 100g but was actually 150g. Bonus!

 

[corby_brewer]

Hi,
Your better off buying your stuff from a guy that uses this forum...Paul at BarleyBottom, good fresh malt and hops at a very good price!
BB

BB
Dean owns a home brew shop.
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