At the time, we deemed the first batch a failure. It resembled beer, but it wasn't something we really wanted to drink. Should we try another kit? No... that wasn't going to cut it. After watching a few videos on YouTube, we scheduled a day off and starting piecing together a water cooler mash tun. The next batch was going to be all-grain or nothing!
After sampling the first all grain batch, a rational outsider would easily conclude that we should have gone with 'nothing.' A huge hop blast covered up some of the off flavours, but the beer was totally flat. The second batch was even worse; it tasted awful AND was dead flat. The third batch ended up on the floor, after a hardware failure on our mash tun just prior to lautering. At this point, our first batch didn't seem like such a failure.
Despite the setbacks, we kept at it. With some friendly help, we vastly improved our mash tun and lautering setup. One problem remained though; why didn't our last two (non-floor) batches carbonate? Neither Earl nor I wanted to run the risk of another flat batch, so we did the only thing we could do... we upgraded to a kegging system! (Thanks boys, kegging stuff was one of the best birthday presents I've ever gotten!) Also, who wants a warm keg of beer? Europeans! As we don't live in Europe, a kegerator was necessary.
Apparently my phone camera is equally bad. |
Our fourth batch might taste terrible, but at least it would be cold and fizzy!
Only two things in life better than a kegging system:
ReplyDelete1) The Milwaukee Bucks
2) The Vancouver Canucks
Naw, I'll take the kegging system! haha
ReplyDelete