I can tell something is wrong visually-the head on this beer has bubbles that are too big, and the head itself is too thick while somehow not being dense. That’s not the only issue though; there isn’t any malt or hop nose that I can pick up. For a beer that has this much carbonation, more scent would be something I would expect.
What I can pick up on the nose is more of a sour yeast nose, akin to a lager.
The flavors aren’t what I would hope, either. It isn’t thin, so that’s an upside, but the malt qualities aren’t there. This ale is neither roasted nor sweet, and it’s not as if there are hops to give me something to look forward to, either.
Even if there were, everything is just wiped by the dominant effervesce and a note of sourness. It’s not overwhelming, the beer isn’t undrinkable but it definitely isn’t my best effort. The mouthfeel gets dry in the corners and roof of my mouth, and the flavors just don’t come through.
I’m not sure if the yeast got infected on storage-this is most likely-or if it’s just an inappropriate yeast to use for this style. Knowing that I know, odds are the error is likely on my end. So I’ll have to try to ensure I’m sanitizing everything correctly, going forward.
Brew date: 10/7/18
Steeping grains
5 lb Maiden Voyage pale malt
.75 biscuit, Caramunich, Admiral’s Hearth
.5 lb Dextrapils, C30
Fermentables: 5 lb LME
Hops
1 oz Chinook, .5 oz Nelson Chauvin @ 60
.5 oz Nelson Chauvin @ 5
Yeast: Imperial’s Flagship
OG: 1.072
FG: 1.015
Put into secondary on 10/26, bottled 10/28
ABV: 7.7%
Bad luck. I’ve had a few drain pour brews this year…..I feel your pain. Onwards and upwards!
True enough!