Taste test of my first batch.

trueman · Post by **trueman** » Saturday Sep 10, 2005 10:51 pm

Well I got to try my first brew last night, a Coopers lager.

It tasted alright and reminded me of Fosters which is obvious considering it was a lager. However we drank it in small glasses and couldn't manage to keep a head on it for more than a few seconds. (Had it at work with some of the guys when we had knocked off.)

When I got home I put a bottle in the freezer for awhile to chill it right down and then poured it into a brand new large schooner glass and it had a perfect head on it.
Anyone know why the difference would have been?
It had a bitter aftertaste too, is this normal for a lager?

Shaun · Post by **Shaun** » Sunday Sep 11, 2005 12:59 am

Your beers head will be obliterated by a dirty glass how clean was the glass at work compared to home?

A good indication as to how clean a glass is is to see how many bubbles form in the beer and cling to the side of the glass the less bubbles the cleaner the glass. If you get a beer in the pub and there is lots of bubbles in the beer clinging to the side of the glass give it back and ask for one in a clean glass. It will go flat quickly and have an off taste.

bobbioli · Post by **bobbioli** » Sunday Sep 11, 2005 1:08 am

I also have noticed the bitterness. It tends to get better over time. Its just hard to wait

trueman · Post by **trueman** » Sunday Sep 11, 2005 10:02 am

Shaun,

Yes the small galsses we used at work had been sitting in the cupboard for the past year and never been used. We rinsed them but that was it.

The glass I used at home was a big Schooner challenge glass that my kids brought me for Fathers day and had never been used as was brought for my home brew.

That explains it then.

bobbioli,

Thanks for the reply, hopefully the bitterness will go away with age then.

Aussie Claret · Post by **Aussie Claret** » Sunday Sep 11, 2005 4:51 pm

Just a quick note, but when you wash any beer glasses DO NOT USE any type of soap or washing detegent, as these always affect the head of the beer.
The other point which isn't widely know is to dry the glasses, any water droplets in the glass can also affect the head retention, honestly dry your glasses and polish with a tea towel; you might feel like a ponce on a high class wine bar but you WILL notice the difference. HONEST!

I simply rinse my glasses in hot water making sure you remove any greasy finger prints and such and dry them imediately it really helps.

Cheers
AC

gregb · Post by **gregb** » Sunday Sep 11, 2005 5:18 pm

Be careful with the tea towel, it can have all sorts of grease from where it was used to dry the frypan.

I dry my beer glasses with a paper towel, that way I know I am not cross contaminating.

Dont be afraid to use a little detergent to get the glass clean, just be sure to rinse very thoroughly to remove the detergent.

Cheers,

Greg.

Dogger Dan · Post by **Dogger Dan** » Sunday Sep 11, 2005 11:19 pm

Just get it in you.

Dogger

Robbo · Post by **Robbo** » Monday Sep 12, 2005 9:46 am

Straight from the bottle cures all problems.

silkworm · Post by **silkworm** » Monday Sep 12, 2005 10:07 am

I rince my glasses in the finest french champagne then polish my glasses with my wifes silk wedding dress I find it helps to sing the national anthem (all verses) then pour the beer in 3 pours over an hour.
Ahhhh!

Post by **Oliver** » Monday Sep 12, 2005 9:07 pm

I'd agree with gregb about the use of detergent. I've never had a problem with it, as I always rinse my glasses well with hot water and let them drain until they're dry.

Oliver

Chris · Post by **Chris** » Tuesday Sep 13, 2005 1:12 am

In relation to head retention with the Coopers kits, it can be a problem when using the Coopers brewing sugar. It's much better if you use malt.

Dogger Dan · Post by **Dogger Dan** » Tuesday Sep 13, 2005 2:49 am

Silk,

I am thinking that might be a bit much but hey, if its working for you

Dogger

silkworm · Post by **silkworm** » Tuesday Sep 13, 2005 10:25 am

Innocently searching for HB perfection.
Sometimes you just need to tread on some hallowed ground.

Dogger Dan · Post by **Dogger Dan** » Tuesday Sep 13, 2005 10:49 am

Silk

All fair play here son, may as well find some useful purpose for that dress, sure looked good in a ball at the bottom of the bed though eh?

Dogger

silkworm · Post by **silkworm** » Tuesday Sep 13, 2005 10:51 am

Ha Dogger!
Nice one...Absolutely