Novice in need of Help!

[Deaconbrau]

Hi All,
Have brewed my first kit (Best Bitter) and the few bottles that I have have proved to be lovely (if a little gassy). However, the main bulk (some 30 pints) was put in a pressure keg (sterilised with milton solution for the same amount of time as it fermented in the bucket) and has stedfastly refused to clear. It tastes great but has an unplesantly sharp aftertaste.
Any ideas what I've done wrong?
Is this batch a write off?
Thanks

 

[BarnsleyBrewer]

Hi,
First of all never use Milton, the best thing is cheap unscented bleach or use Morrisons baby sterilising fluid.

It could be the Milton that's tainted the brew. :hmm:

BB

 

[MikeB]

Hi,
First of all never use Milton, the best thing is cheap unscented bleach or use Morrisons baby sterilising fluid.

It could be the Milton that's tainted the brew. :hmm:

BB

What's the matter with Milton? I use it and I've not had any problems...

 

[BarnsleyBrewer]

Hi,
First of all never use Milton, the best thing is cheap unscented bleach or use Morrisons baby sterilising fluid.

It could be the Milton that's tainted the brew. :hmm:

BB

What's the matter with Milton? I use it and I've not had any problems...

Been know to taint beer.

 

[leo greenhorn]

hi buddy,just wondered if you had considered using finnings its only a quid.im only a begginer myself but i have used it and not had any problems with clearing.could be worth a shot pal.

 

[Dunfie]

As long as the milton was thoroughly rinsed it shouldn't be a problem. Same problem with chlorine cleaners like VWP - you just have make sure you rinse in off and you soon get a feel for how much rinsing you need to do. If it doesn't taste chemically then I would rule that out as I would expect you would also get a whiff of milton too).

Its certainly not as lost cause at this stage. If its good you can try and save it but if it is off then you can learn so many lessons from a bad beer.

Beer in keg that has not been fined will normally take longer to clear than beer in a bottle. The bitter taste could certainly be a result of the yeast that is still in suspension. Have you primed the beer or are you force carbonating it? Have you tried to use any finings (isinglas or gelatine)? What temperature are you storing the beer at - you may need to move somewhere colder to get the yeast to drop out? You mentioned a bitter after taste but how does it smell?

 

[richc]

I've been using it for years with no issues, I've always rinsed it off with tap water and have had no problems at all.

Hi,
First of all never use Milton, the best thing is cheap unscented bleach or use Morrisons baby sterilising fluid.

It could be the Milton that's tainted the brew. :hmm:

BB

What's the matter with Milton? I use it and I've not had any problems...

Been know to taint beer.

 

[Deaconbrau]

Thanks guys,
erm, I rinsed it out pretty well (filled with hose 3 or 4 times...)
Where can I get fillings from?
And I'll find some where cooler!

 

[Dunfie]

Thanks guys,
erm, I rinsed it out pretty well (filled with hose 3 or 4 times...)
Where can I get fillings from?
And I'll find some where cooler!

I would stick it somewhere cooler first and see if it drops clear (give it a couple of weeks).

You would narmally use finings at the point of transfer from primary fermenter to barrel. Its not uncommon to add them after but it does introduce a bit more risk if you are not careful. You can get finings at a homebrew shop (local or online). They may have BeerClear or Isinglas available. The other option is to use common or garden gelatine. As luck would have it - there is a "How to...Use Gelatin Finings" in the How to Section that explains the process.

 

[Casual Brewer]

Hi Fella

I had quite a few mishaps with barrells (been brewing kits for nearly one year now) afrer all the bother I had I decided just to bottle and ive never looked back... perfect beer everytim : e