Last bottle standing

[moto748]

I've got a batch of Irish stout bottled, but have held off trying it yet (with great willpower!). All red crown tops, so I pulled a bottle out today to have a look, and...



...that clearly isn't stout!

It doesn't show up well in my rather poor photo, but it is absolutely crystal clear and looks lovely!

Checking back through my records, it must be a Cali Common I brewed in the summer. I was always doubtful about this one, it was brewed in Midsummer at the hottest time of the year, and I felt the yeast was a bit distressed. Anyway, I poured it all down the drain ages ago. Except this bottle, obviously. Was I premature? Well I think I took the view that if it wasn't a nice drink after about 4 weeks in the bottle, it was unlikely to improve much further. It was only a small 11 litre batch anyway. And, daft as it sounds, I kinda needed the space.

But this one looks so good, I'll bung it on the fridge and try it later tonight. if it is good, I can repeat the recipe, probably all the better now the weather is a bit cooler.

 

[starseeker]

Look forward to reading the out come :)

 

[RichardM]

Come back and tell us what is was like.

 

[moto748]

Lets just say, I kinda regret pouring the rest down the drain!

I don't know enough about this type to know what's supposed to taste like, but I like this. Lager hops, but it certainly has a unique flavour. I wish I could put my finger on what the taste is reminiscent of, but I can't place it (this is why I'm so rubbish at this sort of stiff ! ). I think there's cloves in there somewhere, though. The yeast was MJ M54. btw.

Trust me, I tasted this after about 4 weeks in the bottle, and it really didn't seem worth persisting with. Looking back at my notes, I see I achieved the target OG with a bit to spare; target OG 1048, actual OG, 1050. But I think I never trusted this brew because of temperature concerns at midsummer, and it tasted like mud when I last tried it.

Bottom line; yeah, I'll make it again, and this time of year should be better, and I'll be patient!

 

[moto748]

At least it proves my habit on one thing; if you throw a brew away, always keep at least one bottle; you never know.

 

[Twogunrocky]

So I kegged my Irish stout on 1/9 and the surplus went into 4 bottles.... After 3 weeks conditioning I felt it's time to have a taste of the malty marvel, so I pulled a bottle out and put it on top of the fridge, got a nice glass out to chill it down as you should chill the glass, not the stout, opened the fridge door.... and SMASH!!!! the bottle comes hurtling down and explodes on the kitchen floor, it was resting on the top of the door not the actual fridge body. Well, to say I'm gutted is an understatement, it looked absolutely devine and smelt amazing with perfect carbonation all over the tiles.
Oh well, I'll enjoy bottle number two later.

 

[Richard_H]

You should only ditch a brew if you are 100% certain it is ruined, and IMO 4 weeks is a little premature to pour it all down the sink. Chances are once fermented out the yeast will not produce strong off flavours after a heatwave once it's in the bottle.

Going through a heatwave is far from ideal for your bottled beer (unless the yeast can handle it) but it should never mean its an instant drain pourer.

If you can move them into a fridge while the heatwave passes, and I would say 8 weeks will give you a better idea on the situation of the beer. If after 12 weeks it's still bad then I would pour it.

 

[moto748]

I'm sure that's wise advice, Richard, but as I said, I kinda needed the space, and didn't have spare fridge capacity. I'm not too concerned, and have had an enjoyable evening drinking some more recent brews!