mook1979
Active Member
I recently brewed a Ultimate Brewery Classics - Czech Pilsner kit. It is a "premium" two can kit. Apart from dry hopping with some Saaz, I followed the kit's instructions, even used the yeast from the kit. After about 7 - 10 days in the primary FV I did a taste test and it had a funny aroma and a strong acidic taste. The acidic taste faded a bit, but there was still an unusual flavour. I have only done one kit before that and while I did not expect it to be exactly the same, I thought the smell and taste would not be a million miles off. Both are in the lager family.
I decided to bottle it anyway and after 7 days in the bottle, I opened one last night. While it look like beer, it does not smell or taste much like it. The issue I have is that fermentation was done in the kitchen. We had a couple of hot days in late May/early June, so the daytime temp was in the 21C - 23C range. Q1: Could this account for the off taste or is it more likely I did not sanitise well enough? I have since acquired Starsan.
I was a bit hasty and order another identical kit when I first thought the beer may be off. I will try a liquid yeast in a future batch, but for now I ordered Saflager s-23 yeast, which I want to try rather than the yeast that comes with the kit. The yeast is basically just a silver packet with a number on it.
I am going to build an insulated box in my shed tomorrow and will make the other batch in the next couple of days. Q2: I saw a couple of forum posts on this and would like to know if anyone had any success with this kind of thing. I do not have electricity in my shed, so was thinking of putting a bottle with frozen water on a shelf above the FV in the insulated box on hot days to keep the temp as cool as possible (within the range specified with the yeast I plan to use). As with thousands of guys up and down the country, my wife banned my equipment anywhere in the house where she can see it.
:nah:
I decided to bottle it anyway and after 7 days in the bottle, I opened one last night. While it look like beer, it does not smell or taste much like it. The issue I have is that fermentation was done in the kitchen. We had a couple of hot days in late May/early June, so the daytime temp was in the 21C - 23C range. Q1: Could this account for the off taste or is it more likely I did not sanitise well enough? I have since acquired Starsan.
I was a bit hasty and order another identical kit when I first thought the beer may be off. I will try a liquid yeast in a future batch, but for now I ordered Saflager s-23 yeast, which I want to try rather than the yeast that comes with the kit. The yeast is basically just a silver packet with a number on it.
I am going to build an insulated box in my shed tomorrow and will make the other batch in the next couple of days. Q2: I saw a couple of forum posts on this and would like to know if anyone had any success with this kind of thing. I do not have electricity in my shed, so was thinking of putting a bottle with frozen water on a shelf above the FV in the insulated box on hot days to keep the temp as cool as possible (within the range specified with the yeast I plan to use). As with thousands of guys up and down the country, my wife banned my equipment anywhere in the house where she can see it.
:nah:
