Brew UK Forum | Extract Brewing
Summer Ale
Hello....
I've made a smaller version of the summer ale receipe that is available on this website. Just basically halved my indgredients following some advice from another website.
However, it's now in it's secondary fermentation stage and i tried some more this evening to see how things have progressed in the week and a bit since it's been at this stage. 3 things were apparent when i tried it.
1.) There was a very strong smell of what i can only describe as a TCP smell or something along those lines.
2.) It tastes quite hoppy and also a hint of the mentioned smell above.
3.) It's still not cleared. The temperature in my kitchen where it's stored is between 12 to 19c depending what is being done at the time. Again i've been told it does not matter whether the beer is cloudy.
When i sterilised i rinsed, rinsed and rinsed again.. so i don't think it could be because of that.
The hops i used were Progress and East Kent Goldings.. Having never used those before it could be the variety that has given the flavour i've received.
Am i worrying for about nothing? Or do i need to leave my beer for a few more weeks and see what happens?
Neil
Responses
Posted 1 year ago by Admin
Hi Neil, the TCP smell is a little worrying as I've not had that before and can't say its a smell that sounds ideal. If it tastes okay then it could just be the yeast giving of sulphur etc. Its still quite early so I would carry on and keep sampling to see how its progressing.
Quite normal for beers not to clear until the have been in the bottle/barrel for a while so that is definitely nothing to worry about.... yet.
If you halved the ingredients and keep the brew boil length the same (6 litres) then it will be more bitter as the OG of the boil wort will be lower and therefore more bitterness extracted. The Summer Ale on this website is mildly hoppy so should be okay.
Keep an eye on it and don't panic, it will probably be fine.
Fermenting:
Conditioning:Pale with Styrians
Drinking:Cascade Pale Ale, Summer Lightning
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Thanks Greg,
I had a feeling it could be nothing to worry about. Not so sure it's a TCP smell now if i am honest with you. It's just not a taste i am used to i think. As you said i halved the ingredients and kept the brue length the same.. It is bitter i must admit..
The OG was 1.050
The FG was 1.012
I don't think i've anything to worry about then by the sounds of things.
Cheers really appreciate this forum..
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Just had another taste as you do. Well you've got to try these things... I rather like it. Very hoppy with a bitter after taste. It tastes to me like Hoegarden which i do like...
So really don't think i've much to worry about.
Posted 1 year ago by Admin
I'm sure it will be cool. Never give up on a homebrewed beer until its had at least 5 weeks in the bottle/barrel as I've had quite a few dodgy ones turn out okay after a bit of time.
Saying that, if it tastes properly rank then you've probably got an infection and may be best to cut your losses. It does happen from time to time so just put it down to experience. It even more annoying when its AG and you've spent 6 hours brewing plus all the cleaning etc but it still happens.
Fermenting:
Conditioning:Pale with Styrians
Drinking:Cascade Pale Ale, Summer Lightning
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Oh no... i'll never give up on any homebrewed beer. As you say a lot of hard work and love has gone into that for starters.
I am sure it will mellow in time as you said. I really like it which is all that matters really.
I can't even start to imagine the frustration of spending 5/6 hrs on an AG brew only to find you've got an infection. I bet it can reduce a grown man to tears after all that.
Not quite at that stage yet. But if you hear a NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO coming from the Norwich area then you'll know it's me.
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