Another ruined batch !!?

Kamikazio · Feb 2, 2022

So, I just received my hydrometer and done a reading which is 1.005. With an original of 1.043 i make it I have an ABV of 4.99% (perfect). Thank you for the advise on the refractometer / hydrometer guys… I’d have probably thrown this batch (same as my 3rd batch) due to thinking it had a stalled fermentation

Do folk usually take a taste of the beer at this point to make sure it tastes ok ?

Cheers

Sym · Feb 2, 2022

Kamikazio said:
I didn't realise the refractometer can’t be used after fermentation, lesson learned!

You can use the refractometer after fermentation has started - you just need to use a calculator with the OG measurement also - See part II on this calculator Refractometer Calculator - Brewer's Friend

(other calculators are available)

BlackRegent · Feb 2, 2022

Curiosity killed the beer.

The best advice to a new brewer I can give is to buy a PET fermenter with a tap. That way, there is no need to open the vessel to see what is happening inside or to take a gravity reading.

Without wishing to sound new age, but my experience of fermentation generally (whether that be beer, bread, vegetables, miso, whatever) is that it finds its own equilibrium and is rarely, if ever, improved by human intervention.

Nottsbeer · Feb 2, 2022

Kamikazio said:
So, I just received my hydrometer and done a reading which is 1.005. With an original of 1.043 i make it I have an ABV of 4.99% (perfect). Thank you for the advise on the refractometer / hydrometer guys… I’d have probably thrown this batch (same as my 3rd batch) due to thinking it had a stalled fermentation

Do folk usually take a taste of the beer at this point to make sure it tastes ok ?

Cheers

Yes, have a taste. I tend to taste before pitching the yeast and when bottling. Always good to see how it's going and how the taste changes through the process. Throw the remainder from the trial jar (if you haven't drunk it all

).

phildo79 · Feb 2, 2022

Kamikazio said:
I think those white areas may actually be my camera flash reflection. I hope they are anyway…. I’m going to leave the hops in and leave it be for a few days. If it is infected and I sample some when I check gravity with the hygrometer … am I going to die or will it just taste yuk ?

It might just taste yuck. I have had beers that tasted like shyte on kegging day but then grand the next day.

DocAnna · Feb 2, 2022

phildo79 said:
It might just taste yuck. I have had beers that tasted like shyte on kegging day but then grand the next day.

I use taste on the day of kegging to guide what I do with temperature and conditioning. If it tastes pretty good I'll store cold/cool but if it is too harsh or not great I'll leave it at room temperature for a week or two to 'warm' condition before moving to cool.

Cwrw666 · Feb 2, 2022

I bottle mine so there's always a bit left over. I drink it. Warm and flat and often with yeast haze. Actually often gives you an idea how it's going to be in a few weeks.

Mayor of Simpleton · Feb 2, 2022

How did it smell and taste? If it's off, you are going to pick that up. Whenever I take a sample for gravity reading, I always smell and taste the beer.

Sadfield · Feb 2, 2022

Always tasting. Even a day or two in you can get a feel for how the transition from wort to beers going, without even taking enough for a gravity reading.

DavidDetroit · Feb 2, 2022

Aside from when the fermenter must be open (when making the beer and when bottling), I'd leave it closed. There is the "two gravity readings a few days apart" thing, but if you a) let the beer stay in the fermenter for two or three weeks and b) know what the FG is supposed to be, you can avoid unnecessary exposure.
I could taste the samples, most probably do, but if it smells good, I tend to skip it.

sgmbrewer · Feb 2, 2022

Kamikazio said:
So, I just received my hydrometer and done a reading which is 1.005. With an original of 1.043 i make it I have an ABV of 4.99% (perfect). Thank you for the advise on the refractometer / hydrometer guys… I’d have probably thrown this batch (same as my 3rd batch) due to thinking it had a stalled fermentation

Do folk usually take a taste of the beer at this point to make sure it tastes ok ?

Cheers

I taste at every stage of the process that I taking a reading at - even pre & during the boil (once cooled slightly of course) - really interesting to note the changes over the different stages of the process!

d146895x · Feb 4, 2022

You can use a refractometer to measure final gravity (although it won't be as accurate as an hydrometer. You enter your reading into a calculator along with your starting gravity, click "Calculate" and there you have it. The attached link (if it works) is to Sean Terrills online calculator which uses Brix as its reading, but gives you the answer in SG.Sean Terrill calculator

scomet · Feb 4, 2022

Or use these for your conversions.

$Refractometer Recal 2.jpg$ $Refractometer Recal 3.jpeg$ $Refractometer Recalibration for Fermented Wort.jpg$

Kamikazio · Feb 7, 2022

Hi all…. It’s bottling time and here is how the it now looks in the fermenter… it’s smells ok but there is some signs of white across the top.. who is on the ok fence and who’s on the infected fence !?

FirebladeAdam · Feb 7, 2022

I'll bet it's fine... I think you'd smell any contamination that was acute enough to ruin the taste. I might be wrong! But bottle it and try it in two weeks. 10p says it's awesome.

The Baron · Feb 7, 2022

Here's a positive some infected beers taste ok too just make sure it has finished as if bottling infected beers can go on fermenting right down and you do not want bottle bombs.
Its a judgement call only you can make but hope it is ok we all like a brewing story with a happy ever after athumb..

sgmbrewer · Feb 7, 2022

If it smells fine, taste it, if it tastes fine - it is fine. Definitely want to make certain that you have taken at least two stable final gravity readings with a hydrometer more than 24 hourd apart to be certain fermentation is done. Enjoy!

Harbey · Feb 7, 2022

Looks good to me. Get it bottled and try a sample.

Session · Jul 23, 2022

@Kamikazio - so… what was the outcome? Yay or nay?!

MrJay83 · Jul 27, 2022

phildo79 said:
It might just taste yuck. I have had beers that tasted like shyte on kegging day but then grand the next day.

I done American Style IPA a while back and it looked disgusting & stunk after fermentation, stunk and tasted awful after two weeks in a bottle. Then magically one month later it was beautiful. Probably one of my favourite brews

Another ruined batch !!?

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