Grain brew tastes like extract kits!

[itry]

Ive done a few brews recently and they have come out not so good. Its always a punkish type beer or a plain ipa with a bit of hops. I couldnt describe the flavour but i knew it was off. Then last night i tried a bottle of extract kit home brew(probably a mango jacks) from a friend. That is the taste!!! The off taste im getting is exactly like an exctract kit!! How does that happen ? Could it be down to fermenting temps ??

 

[MyQul]

Could be. What temps have you been fermenting at? Is the grain you're using old?

 

[itry]

I think it was all in the late 20s earlie 30s .it was an insulated shed in the summer. It dosnt taste foul. Its still drinkable. Do you rember when you started out with home brew bag kits , pour the extract add the water and yeast. It tasted ok but their is a funny twang and you dont know quite what it is. And every one says , thats home brew isnt it. But you can tell its their.

 

[IainM]

Yup, that's too hot for most yeast.

 

[itry]

Ok. Ill bare that in mind from now on. I currently have a stout on the go but am using a chiller system to keep it at 18c. Its working but not going mental. Lets see how it turns out.

So we can state your real beer youve made tastes like starter home brew because the yeast was to hot. I will try again after this brew

 

[MyQul]

Also sheds are notorious for huge swings in temps. Some people think that swings in fermentation temps are even worse than fermenting at too high a temp

 

[itry]

So ive just been out to check my temp controlled ferment. Its really slow. So slow infact it has a guiness head only on it! See attached photo. Normally they go nuts out their and the crausen goes every where! Were slowley picking off the points but its coming down to fg.

 

[Brew_DD2]

Looks like a good fermentation. Less mental sounds good to me.

 

[DavidDetroit]

I never get more than that much krausen and always hit my FG. Looks good.

 

[Banbeer]

I have a digital greenhouse thermometer that gives the maximum and minimum temp in my Carbing chamber, great information and so simple.

 

[Slid]

Also sheds are notorious for huge swings in temps. Some people think that swings in fermentation temps are even worse than fermenting at too high a temp

If only we could ask the yeast! Temperature swings do seem to stress the yeast and this is referenced wherever you read up on the subject.
Basically, a shed is OK for storing equipment, or even the finished beer, but very suspect for fermenting, especially if it can catch the sun at all.

 

[SmallSpacesBrewing]

So ive just been out to check my temp controlled ferment. Its really slow. So slow infact it has a guiness head only on it! See attached photo. Normally they go nuts out their and the crausen goes every where! Were slowley picking off the points but its coming down to fg.

I have to ask. How long do you leave your beer fermenting? Kits are notoriously optimistic with fermenting time. And since you are fermenting at high temp your beer must finish faster, have a bigger krausen etc. If you like high temps. Try Kveik Yeast. It finishes in 3 days and makes awesome beer.

 

[user 18729]

Do you treat your water?

 

[BridgeBrew]

Sounds like you need a brew fridge.

 

[GerritT]

Also sheds are notorious for huge swings in temps. Some people think that swings in fermentation temps are even worse than fermenting at too high a temp

True thing. Stable at 25º is better than swings between 20º and 25º, and English yeasts are more tolerant than others.

Did some research whilst brewing and being on holiday for 10 days during this summer.

 

[SmallSpacesBrewing]

I once made a beer that fermented on the hot side. It ended up tasting like chewing gum. Not the nice minty type, but the ones you get out of a bubblegum machine. Just nasty. That fermented at ca 24 degrees. Never again.

 

[johncrobinson]

I have been making wine first by helpin my dad for 55 yrs>If i have discovered one secret it is this KEEP FERMENTATION TEMPERATURE STABLE.
heat or cool as you please but keep it STABLE.