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

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Zachary Gordon
Old Thunder Brewing
Pittsburgh PA
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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?

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Shane Bird
Brewing Supervisor
JuneShine
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We are on a Wild Goose WG2, but this happens in kegs as well. Only with lager beer.

CIP process is standard, pan cleaner for cleaning and PAA for sanitation.

Best way to describe the flavor is muted, not rounded and a slight yeast bite in the finish.

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Zachary Gordon
Old Thunder Brewing
Pittsburgh PA
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-17-2024 13:46
From: Shane Bird
Subject: Package shock on lagers

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?

------------------------------
Shane Bird
Brewing Supervisor
JuneShine
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