Mouthfeel

[softlad]

I've read comments about mouthfeel and think I now get it.

After a couple of pints of kit brew (Lions Pride I think) I tried a pint of my Bass clone. Apart from the AG having far fresher flavours and tasting a lot better than the kit (I'm preaching to the converted, I know) the beer was a whole load more pleasureable to drink. It had a soft, silky quality as I was drinking it.

Is this what is meant by mouthfeel or am I imagining this difference ?

[mysterio]

I think you've answered your own question

[softlad]

I think you've answered your own question

That I'm imagining the difference ?

I'm just waiting for the men in white coats

Thanks mysterio it seems strange that supposedly similar ingredients (kits and AG) can have such a different feel. What gives AG beer this feel ?

[mysterio]

Unfermentable sugars which you produced in your mash, along with any speciality grains you used. Mouthfeel is exactly that, how it feels in your mouth. hop tannins and proteins will be contributing to this too but it's likely that the temperature you mashed at produced a balance of longer chained sugars that gave it a more pleasurable feel. It could be that you used a yeast which gave a fuller mouthfeel. For example SO4 will ferment less than say, Nottingham, leaving a fuller mouthfeel. Maybe the kit manufacturer mashed at a low temperature making it seem thinner, or maybe you used simple sugar in the kit? It could also be the overall impression, like you mentioned the fresher flavours made you appreciate the mouthfeel all the better. Remember the kit will be going through quite an intensive (i imagine) industrial process which will surely damage any delicate flavours from the malt or hops. It's like the difference between year old canned tuna and a tuna steak you've made yourself, cooked the way you like and with fresh herbs & seasoning.

[softlad]

Thanks. That makes sense.

I suppose that the main thing is that all round it is a more pleasurable drink and the magic that goes on in that cool box and white plastic boiler combine to make good beer. At the minute I'm just the arms and legs in the process. More the magicians assistant than the magician.

[HG]

Some ingredients like oats, especially in a stout, can give it a very smooth and silky mouthfeel.

[softlad]

Stout is on my list of to do's. I just need the barrel space and I'll then agonise over which of the recipes on here to make