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Beer too sweet - how to fix?
Posted: Friday Aug 25, 2006 8:23 am
by jd
I found this recipe on this site and put one together a while ago.
1 Can of coopers pale ale 1.7kg (the GREEN can)
1 can Morgans Lager malt extract 1 kg
200grams of English Crystal malt
.
It's been in the bottle three weeks now so I tried one yesterday and it wasn't too bad, just a bit too sweet for my taste.
What can I add to this recipe to reduce the sweetness, or will it change by itself over time?
regards
jd
Posted: Friday Aug 25, 2006 9:31 am
by Cortez The Killer
I found both the Coopers Pale Ale and Coopers Canadian Blonde too sweet for my liking
As a matter of course now I don't usually put down a brew without bittering hops
Both of these batches - being my earlier attempts probably got sweeter over time
Cheers
Posted: Friday Aug 25, 2006 11:04 am
by rwh
It's probably primarily the crystal that's making it sweet, and this probably will only attenuate slowly. The LME will definitely be more fully fermented out over a few months. So if you put it away for a month or two, you will find that the "malty" flavour will definitely reduce, and the beer will become more "dry" (or watery
).
If it's too sweet for you, definitely have a play with a little bittering hops and some flavour hops. They make a world of difference, but be careful not to overdo it (because the kits are already pretty close to a reasonable bittering level).
Posted: Monday Aug 28, 2006 8:44 pm
by Wassa
Hops are the way to go, especially with crystal (much to my chagrin in lagers).
Try adding some Hallertau, Saaz or Cascade, about 20 to 30gm and boil for 30 minutes.
Re: Beer too sweet - how to fix?
Posted: Monday Aug 28, 2006 10:44 pm
by Boonie
jd wrote:I found this recipe on this site and put one together a while ago.
1 Can of coopers pale ale 1.7kg (the GREEN can)
1 can Morgans Lager malt extract 1 kg
200grams of English Crystal malt
.
It's been in the bottle three weeks now so I tried one yesterday and it wasn't too bad, just a bit too sweet for my taste.
What can I add to this recipe to reduce the sweetness, or will it change by itself over time?
regards
jd
Did a Cooper pale with 1kg of dextrose with 500gms malt from Local brew shop with standard yeast.
No sweetness, compared to Sparkling Ale especially.
Must have been the crystals.
Good to see you have a go!!
The 1 kg Malt would not help the sweetness.
Are you after bitter?? If so try a Saaz which is not overpowring if you use it at say 10g at racking (if you do it this way).
Boonie
Posted: Monday Sep 11, 2006 1:18 pm
by damonpeyo
I found Coopers Pale Ale bit sweet for my liking as well, its got that very slight fruity aftertaste, just used Coopers' BE2 and 500 grams Light Dry Malt, kit's yeast. This was while ago before I learnt more about hops and discovered there's other yeast strains you can obtain.
