Is this beer going down the drain?

KimmyB · Oct 13, 2018

Hi All

My hubby has brewed three all grain beers using the grainfather with great success, he has recently bought a conical fermenter (fast ferment). Fermentation finished after seven days ( two gravity readings taken over two days 1.012). To aid clearing of the beer he added Beer Brite which didn't work so then he added Kwik Klear. After a week the beer is still cloudy, but worse than when it started and has a froth on top. The beer also smells quite malty.
We are now thinking is it past saving and should it be thrown away.
I have below listed the ingredients. Please help.
thanks Kim x

Marri Otter 3.5 kg
Crystal 1 KG
dextrose 1/2 KG
Challenger hops 30g
east kent goldings 10g
first gold 5g
Target 5g
1 Protofloc tab
English Ale Yeast

Leon103 · Oct 13, 2018

What does it taste like. If it doesn't taste like vinegar then l3ave it a week to clear and then bottle

Bigcol49 · Oct 13, 2018

Hi!
I agree with @Leon103
I always leave brews to ferment for two weeks, even when it appears to be over. The yeast needs time to consume some of the by-products of the fermentation.
After that, I cold crash for a few days before racking to the bottling bucket.
I never use clearing agents - time is the best clearer. Patience is the brewer's most important tool.

Linalmeemow · Oct 13, 2018

Beer doesn't have to be clear, you know...

Slid · Oct 13, 2018

Once again, here is a graphic representation of the fermentation (beer making) process

But, to answer the OP - you have banged in a bit much crystal for the tastes of most punters.
Adding finings is almost always completely unnecessary in a HB environment
A conical fermenter sounds great and I might be tempted to covet one, some day, but it does not alter the Bio-chemical processes, only knock off the odd day here and there.

Also a "malty smell" might be kind of the point? You have, after all, designed a rather sweet tasting, sort of a pale mild ale?

ITMA · Oct 13, 2018

I'd get it bottled now if it's had two weeks and let it condition and clear in the bottle. It won't hurt to leave it another week or two though in the bucket.

I've never paid any attention to how it looks at this stage in the bucket.

Get a few small plastic coke bottles and include these in the bottling run. You can then watch the progress in bottle, you might be surprised how well it clears up over the course of the next few weeks.

As mentioned, even if doesn't clear, nowt wrong with that (unless you really find cloudy beer distasteful - I do prefer it clear but don't worry too much if it is).

Edit - wow I hadn't seen the 1kg crystal. Ignore me slid ^^^ is your man with the answers!

Slid · Oct 13, 2018

I nicked the graph above from John Palmers excellent "How to Brew". A truly great resource for all brewers who want to know the answers to questions that begin with the word "why".

Dutto · Oct 15, 2018

Slid said:
......... A truly great resource for all brewers who want to know the answers to questions that begin with the word "why".

Like it. A favourite of mine is:

"A man who knows "How" will always be in work ...

... but a man who knows "Why" should always be in charge of him!"

foxbat · Oct 15, 2018

KimmyB said:
and has a froth on top.

Can you post a photo of that if it's still there?

Is this beer going down the drain?

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