Is this an infection?

[DeadFall]

I use enough water to cover the sugar + a bit more and put it in the microwave for 1 minute, stir a bit and microwave again etc. until it's dissolved and I can see it boiling through the door window (I use a pyrex jug). If I have a lot of crap floating on top of the beer (often hop bits), I wrap the end of the syphon tube in a muslin hop bag that's been soaked in boiling water.

[Barticus]

Barticus; I won't just repeat the mantra that " It looks perfectly normal, to me. " Even if it does. I'll answer ye question: " Is this an infection? " In a more hands on and practical way.

One day, Barticus looks at his beer and thinks; " Ooh. This looks iffy! I wonder if it's an infection? ". Okay? Well, f**k getting the camera out and showing us pictures. Cut to the chase. Pour off a mouthful. If the FV has no tap? Syphon it.

And, I promise you; Having got it in ye mouth? If ye ever talk to me again? It wasn't an infection.

Why complicate things. See?

Death by beer has always been on the final bucket list, but infected beer wasnt quite what I had in mind.

[Barticus]

I put my priming sugar i a cup and add enought boiling water to desolve it, then put the sugar solution in the FV.
Then I siphon off the ale in to the 'bottling fv', the swirling of the beer transfer is enough to make sure the beer/sugar is well mixed before bottling - no stiring involved.

Cheers, sounds simple enough!

Is there a tried and tested guide anywhere to how much sugar you should use to prime a ruby red. I appreciate some people like different fizziness, but to get similar to the real thing.

[Matt12398]

For an ale you want something like 80 g for a 5 gallon batch. That should get you somewhere near what you get from a bottled shop bought ale.

Ditch, I love your no nonsense attitude.

[Barticus]

For an ale you want something like 80 g for a 5 gallon batch. That should get you somewhere near what you get from a bottled shop bought ale.

Ditch, I love your no nonsense attitude.

Thanks for that. I noticed tonight that there's very little fizz on the shop bought stuff.

[maevans]

For an ale you want something like 80 g for a 5 gallon batch. That should get you somewhere near what you get from a bottled shop bought ale.

Ditch, I love your no nonsense attitude.

Thanks for that. I noticed tonight that there's very little fizz on the shop bought stuff.

Hurray - I bottled the same beer last night at round about 80g as well.

[Barticus]

Did you have a taste?

[Barticus]

I use enough water to cover the sugar + a bit more and put it in the microwave for 1 minute, stir a bit and microwave again etc. until it's dissolved and I can see it boiling through the door window (I use a pyrex jug). If I have a lot of crap floating on top of the beer (often hop bits), I wrap the end of the syphon tube in a muslin hop bag that's been soaked in boiling water.

Seems a good idea

[St. Ailbhe's Brewery]

1. Looks normal. If I had a brew like that I'd think nothing of it.

2. Taste it!

[Barticus]

1. Looks normal. If I had a brew like that I'd think nothing of it.

2. Taste it!

Cheers

Unfortunately the taste thing is something that I think will only come with experience. So far Ive only done two brews and all tastes have been from the Hydrometer and its fair to say Home Brew at this stage (imo) tastes quite different to commercial stuff anyway.

Im hoping it all improves after conditioning

[Monkeybrew]

1. Looks normal. If I had a brew like that I'd think nothing of it.

2. Taste it!

Cheers

Unfortunately the taste thing is something that I think will only come with experience. So far Ive only done two brews and all tastes have been from the Hydrometer and its fair to say Home Brew at this stage (imo) tastes quite different to commercial stuff anyway.

Im hoping it all improves after conditioning

I normally have 2 tastes along the way, 1 after the first SG reading and another before bottling or kegging.

Obviously the brew is nowhere near its best, but you would certainly know if it was off, because you would have probably spat it out without even thinking!

I've got the Ruby Red kit sitting here waiting to go on at some point too, but have read that it becomes very good after 6-8 weeks, so patience is certainly required.

[Barticus]

1. Looks normal. If I had a brew like that I'd think nothing of it.

2. Taste it!

Cheers

Unfortunately the taste thing is something that I think will only come with experience. So far Ive only done two brews and all tastes have been from the Hydrometer and its fair to say Home Brew at this stage (imo) tastes quite different to commercial stuff anyway.

Im hoping it all improves after conditioning

I normally have 2 tastes along the way, 1 after the first SG reading and another before bottling or kegging.

Obviously the brew is nowhere near its best, but you would certainly know if it was off, because you would have probably spat it out without even thinking!

I've got the Ruby Red kit sitting here waiting to go on at some point too, but have read that it becomes very good after 6-8 weeks, so patience is certainly required.

I did the coopers australian lager that came with the FV first and the sg taste was very yeasty. As most newbies do I popped open a bottle after 1 day in the fridge (2 weeks conditioning in the warm) and while the yeast taste had gone, it still wouldnt be a drink I would like to consume regualrly. Now Im going to leave it alone for several weeks before trying again. The fizz and head were excellent though!

With regard to the ruby red I have only had one Hydrometer sip and it tasted a bit like adhesive??? however I think the hydrometer was awash with sterilising fluid so might have been that.

In fact Im going to pause and try it again now.......

This what a glass full looks like.



Overall lighter than what it looks like in the pic but very cloudy still. Cant make out fingers on other side of glass.

Also has a smell of yeast (after 14 days)

Definitely has all I can describe as Glue adhesive type taste note to it.

I'll bottle it sometimes next week and just hope that taste goes away

[St. Ailbhe's Brewery]

I'm not sure Ajax will be able hold on to Anita either.

And that crowd isn't cheaper than the main dealers, they charged me the bloody same for a battery d'other day!