Ask The Brewmasters

Hello,

I believe we get "package shock" on all of our beers, most people agree that this happens, but in ales for us that goes away in a few days. Our lagers on the other hand don't taste right for 2-3 weeks after packing. It's always been like this and we can't figure out problem. 

Our normal lager schedule is ferment for about 7 days at 50F when 2/3 of the way through fermentation raise the temperature to 58F. We spund the tank about 1 plato from terminal. After it passes VDK we will drop 5F per day until 32F. Then lager at 32F for at least 6 weeks. After this we will fine and package the beer into cans/kegs. We run into the same problem if we use finings or not.

If anyone has any suggestions they would be greatly appreciated. 

Thank you,

Zach

Hey Zach,

This doesn't sound like a fermentation or brewing problem, but a packaging problem. What kind of filler are you using? What's your CIP process? It seems like there may be a discrepancy with the hoses/fill heads or somewhere inline during your packaging process that's picking up unwanted flavors.

Can you describe in more detail what the taste is?

Hello,

I believe we get "package shock" on all of our beers, most people agree that this happens, but in ales for us that goes away in a few days. Our lagers on the other hand don't taste right for 2-3 weeks after packing. It's always been like this and we can't figure out problem. 

Our normal lager schedule is ferment for about 7 days at 50F when 2/3 of the way through fermentation raise the temperature to 58F. We spund the tank about 1 plato from terminal. After it passes VDK we will drop 5F per day until 32F. Then lager at 32F for at least 6 weeks. After this we will fine and package the beer into cans/kegs. We run into the same problem if we use finings or not.

If anyone has any suggestions they would be greatly appreciated. 

Thank you,

Zach