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Squid
Joined: 09 Apr 2016 Posts: 33
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Link Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2016 5:46 pm Post subject: Plastic stout |
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Hello all!
I'm confounded by an issue whereby every stout I make tastes of plastic, or burning plastic to be specific. I've read all the causes and more than one can be applicable to my situation ( namely poor sanitation, underpitching etc)
My question is why, having brewed basic lagers and hefeweizens as well as multiple stout attempts, is it only the stouts that seem to suffer this off flavour?
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wscottcross
Joined: 03 Jul 2015 Posts: 212 Location: CT
Drinking: Launch IPA, Double Sunshine clone, Maple Coffee breakfast stout
Working on: expanding my beer horizons (and my beltline)
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Link Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2016 1:10 pm Post subject: |
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One possible cause is Chlorophenol, which comes from municipal water sources that use Chlorine or Chloramine to treat the water. Also, what is your mash pH? The dark grains in stouts can have a larger effect on mash pH and could explain why you only have the problem with the stout and not so much with the other styles. Have changed anything else in your process or ingredient source?
_________________ Kal clone controller, 30 gallon Spike Brewing kettles, 6 tap keezer
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Squid
Joined: 09 Apr 2016 Posts: 33
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Link Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2016 5:02 pm Post subject: |
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To be perfectly frank, I have never tested the PH of the mash. I use well water as is, so doubt Chloramine or Chlorine are the issue. I could always be better at sanitation I'm sure, but the PH idea is intriguing. I am set to brew later this week and will test the mash.
The other idea I had was sparging with too hot of water or possibly having some grains slip into the boil tank through the false bottom and then boiling them ( which could possibly add tannins - though that would only affect bitterness, and not off flavours I think).
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McGruber
Joined: 12 Aug 2014 Posts: 237 Location: Idaho
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wscottcross
Joined: 03 Jul 2015 Posts: 212 Location: CT
Drinking: Launch IPA, Double Sunshine clone, Maple Coffee breakfast stout
Working on: expanding my beer horizons (and my beltline)
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Link Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2016 2:25 pm Post subject: |
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What temperature is your sparge water? What is your grain bill?
_________________ Kal clone controller, 30 gallon Spike Brewing kettles, 6 tap keezer
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Squid
Joined: 09 Apr 2016 Posts: 33
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Link Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2016 2:31 pm Post subject: |
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7lbs pale malt
1lb crystal malt
1lb chocolate malt
8 oz roasted barley
Sparge temp was 168
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wscottcross
Joined: 03 Jul 2015 Posts: 212 Location: CT
Drinking: Launch IPA, Double Sunshine clone, Maple Coffee breakfast stout
Working on: expanding my beer horizons (and my beltline)
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Link Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2016 4:58 pm Post subject: |
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Sparging with 168 degree water is fine. Grain bill doesn't look too crazy. Your dark grain ratio is a little higher than I use, but not enough to throw the flavor off that much. Have you had your well water tested? Knowing the mineral content of your source water helps a ton. I use EZ-Water spreadsheet and it helps me nail the water chemistry every time. My pH is perfect and the beers are award winning. Easy to underestimate the effects of the water on the end product.
_________________ Kal clone controller, 30 gallon Spike Brewing kettles, 6 tap keezer
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Squid
Joined: 09 Apr 2016 Posts: 33
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Link Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2017 9:30 pm Post subject: |
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Well, first beer using RO water and salts and we have a success! A stout that tastes like a stout! Thanks gentlemen for all your help. Seems I was lacking a little on my cold side sanitation
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kal Forum Administrator
Joined: 12 Dec 2010 Posts: 11116 Location: Ottawa, Canada
Drinking: Pub Ale, Electric Creamsicle, Mild, Pliny the Younger, Belgian Dark Strong, Weizen, Russian Imperial Stout, Black Butte Porter
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wscottcross
Joined: 03 Jul 2015 Posts: 212 Location: CT
Drinking: Launch IPA, Double Sunshine clone, Maple Coffee breakfast stout
Working on: expanding my beer horizons (and my beltline)
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Link Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2017 9:50 pm Post subject: |
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I had a plastic batch that I'm pretty sure was an infection, possibly the harvested yeast I used on that batch.
_________________ Kal clone controller, 30 gallon Spike Brewing kettles, 6 tap keezer
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