Homebrewers - Whats in the fermenter?

[Salvelinus]

Originally Posted by Mikey202

2nd contest it scored a 33 1/2. That is in the very good range. Between the 2 contests, 3 out of the 4 judges said it was "hot". Which meant that it had, to much alcohol bite/ medicinal. I think that should mellow, with bottle aging.
Also, it had to much spice profile. Both of these are "out of style" for a Belgian Dubble.

I enjoyed it . Was cool to get feedback.

I'm surprised the scores differed by that much. I'm psyched to get some beers into competition next month after reading your comments. Be good to get some feedback.

Hot alcohols (fusels generally) can be formed from fermenting too warm and not pitching enough yeast. Reading up on Belgian brewing it seems like a lot of the breweries start fermentation cool to keep fusels down and then let the temps ramp up later in the process.

[Mikey202]

Originally Posted by Salvelinus

I'm surprised the scores differed by that much. I'm psyched to get some beers into competition next month after reading your comments. Be good to get some feedback.

Hot alcohols (fusels generally) can be formed from fermenting too warm and not pitching enough yeast. Reading up on Belgian brewing it seems like a lot of the breweries start fermentation cool to keep fusels down and then let the temps ramp up later in the process.

Let me know what you think, that is the one I sent you.
Looking back, we don't have a wort chiller, (need to get one). The temp was at the 72 degree range, for fermentation.
Didn't have a problem with the yeast. We used White labs, and it pushed the blow off tube assembly, off the carboy twice.

[Salvelinus]

Originally Posted by Mikey202

Let me know what you think, that is the one I sent you.
Looking back, we don't have a wort chiller, (need to get one). The temp was at the 72 degree range, for fermentation.
Didn't have a problem with the yeast. We used White labs, and it pushed the blow off tube assembly, off the carboy twice.

I can't wait to drink it, just need a night where I can sit down and enjoy it.

Did you make a yeast starter for this beer? Fusels can be made during reproduction when a yeast is underpitched. If you went from a small White Labs vial culture to a huge blow of the top of the fermenter culture at high temps you might have a recipe for hot alcohols. Maybe try a big starter and cooler temps the next time you make the beer if you notice that flavor and don't like it.