Medicinal taste

[aceuass]

My last 4 brews have tasted medicinal after fermenting and Im not sure what Im doing wrong.
I have 3 seperate fermenters, I use oxyclean to clean, starsan to sanitise, I follow the rules and never use to have a problem, the one thing could be heat, we are getting into summer here and temps are high, my brew closets can get to 80f and thats with air conditioning, I did wrap in wet towels and kept the fermenter at about 72f(Im working on a chiller at the moment)the other thing could be the water, I use to fill up at the kitchen sink, but I have now moved outside and use the garden hose, I only boil 2-3 gallons, and fill the rest up with the hose, could it be the water, any help please as I now how to buy commercial untill I can figure this out.
Cheers Paul

[mysterio]

The medicinal taste is usually a function of chlorine in the water... have you tasted the water from your hose? If theres any hint of chlorine then theres your problem.

Your temperatures are quite worrying too, shouldn't be too big a problem at 72 although mid to high 60s are better for ales, certainly I would expect some off-flavours if the fermenting beer goes up to 80.

Don't lose heart anyway, it might be worth delaying brewing until the summer months have passed, or at least divert your energy to getting some decent temp control working. An ice bath can be pretty effective. Definately stop using the garden hose especially if thats when your problems started.

[aceuass]

Now the weekend is upon us I will test the water from the hose, I think that is the problem, I might just have to invest in a wort chiller and boil the whole 5 gallons, the SoFC is finished and the temp controller should be wired into the fridge today so I should be back in business.
Cheers Paul

[stevezx7r]

I'd be worried about infection from a garden hose more than clorine, do you sanitise it?

[aceuass]

Ok that would be the problem, I didnt sanitise the hose.
Cheers Paul

[Andy]

I doubt the problem is down to the hose. It's more likely to be using untreated water to top up your fermenter. Chlorine/chloramine causing a TCP medicinal taste.

Either use a water filter or add a crushed campden tablet to any water you use in the whole process.

[stevezx7r]

I was just saying, drawing your water from a hose pipe is a bad idea, that's all.


Prevention rather thant cure and all that.

[CyberPaddy66]

Get a second bucket and fit a tap to that then fill it with tap water from your "soon to be" sanitised hose then stick 1/2 a crushed Camden Tablet into your water BEFORE you use it for brewing, it'll get rid of any Chlorine and make your brewing experience a lot easier

[prolix]

the hose should not be to problematic if it is dark then no algae can breed in it, if it is used often the water will be the same as pipes which are plastic any how (except around the house)