First taste of Brewferm Diablo

[giraffe]

I have patiently been waiting for my Diablo to condition, but after waiting 10 weeks I couldn't wait any longer so I have cracked one open tonight. This is my first venture with Brewferm.

First impression, not too bad. But it has quite an alcoholly taste to it, although I guess it would at around 8%. But can I expect that to mellow more over time?. I also noticed that when chilled it goes hazy, but it was clear at room temperature.

It was brewed with golden syrup which you can really taste in an aftertaste, which I am undecided on whether I like that or not.

Only problem is I bottled in in 500ml bottles as it's all I had at the time. Better go steady or I will be in bed by 9pm :

 

[pittsy]

A good tip for the strong 1's is when brewing use candi sugar to increase the abv % instead of other forms of sugars as for some reason the brew gets stronger without the alcoholic taste (as much ) and with say an 8% it seems like a 6% and so on , however the strong brews do need a long time to get at their best .

 

[giraffe]

I did read up about candi sugar and considered using it, but it seemed like a hassle to make and not everywhere sells it. I will try it next time for sure. I see you can buy it in crystallised form, what do you do with it, dissolve it first?

Also did a Tripple with golden syrup, but that is only at about the 6 week mark so not tried that one yet.

 

[morethanworts]

I did read up about candi sugar and considered using it, but it seemed like a hassle to make and not everywhere sells it. I will try it next time for sure. I see you can buy it in crystallised form, what do you do with it, dissolve it first?

Also did a Tripple with golden syrup, but that is only at about the 6 week mark so not tried that one yet.

Ooh, you've got more patience than me. My Brewferm Abdij is younger than that, and two bottles have already taken a hit!

What temperature did you ferment at? Brewferm have recently changed their instructions from 25C, previously advised, down to 20-23C, even though the extract and yeasts are unchanged. It's too early to judge my Abdij, but I did it at the 'old' 25C and there's definitely a strong, possibly alcoholic, bitterness.

 

[giraffe]

Interesting that they have changed the instructions. I don't try to control the temperature I don't have the means or inclination to do so. I occasionally wave a thermometer around it was around the 23-24 mark from what I remember.

I wouldn't say mine was bitter, just tastes strong! maybe i'm just not used to it.

 

[pittsy]

top tip , if you only do 1 thing right with brewing never mine the yeast or the quality ingredients or what have you , it's temp control . Bad beer / good beer temp control is key .

 

[giraffe]

Without using a fridge (I have limited space in my flat) is there any other way of effectively controlling the temp?

 

[jonnymorris]

top tip , if you only do 1 thing right with brewing never mine the yeast or the quality ingredients or what have you , it's temp control . Bad beer / good beer temp control is key .

Agree with Pittsy though you've got to pay attention to the yeast. After all, temperature control is in itself all about the yeast.

Regarding temp control... have a search for 'aquarium heater'. Many use them with great effect though probably less so in the summer.

 

[giraffe]

I would have problems lowering the temp rather than raising it. It gets pretty warm in here, esp. in the summer.

 

[morethanworts]

Number 1, you're at least doing the right type of beer for higher temperatures.

A water bath evens out day/night swings quite well. A 40l garden trug would suffice. Attenuates the peaks and troughs. Experiment with water to get an idea. If you're in the 20-25 zone anyway, then it may be enough to stabilise it very well.

EDIT - A simple plastic storage box works easier than a trug, for small batches, like the Brewferm kits, if it's in a 5 gallon FV. I did a 9 litre batch like that, but with an aquarium heater at both ends of the box, controlled by an STC 1000 unit.

 

[giraffe]

I will give that a go next time a set off a Brewferm. Could just about fit the FV in a plastic tub without taking up too much room. Although next on my agenda is a Festival Golden Stag. Don't have tub tall enough to be able to fill a water level up to equal to that of a 23L brew in the FV.