Have any of you guys had a beer lose flavor after force carbing? I had a delicious bourbon barrel stout that had a very strong bourbon/oak flavor (just like i like it) that I kegged. I set it on 30 PSI for 1.5 days and then dropped it to 10 psi for the remainder of the week. It tasted amazing for the first two days, however once it was fully carbed at 1 week, the bourbon aroma and oak/bourbon taste was non existent. WTF happened? Pretty disappointed, I’m hoping there is just a build up of carbonic acid that is covering up everything and it will subside…
Bump
How did you purge the keg initially and again after filling?
Also, how cold does the beer pour?
+1 to slight oxidation, possible over carbonation (though unlikely), and maybe drinking the beer too cold? Stouts are great around 50-55F.
Cleaned the keg, left some star San in, sealed it up and pushed all the star San out with CO2 then filled it up with beer, pressure sealed with co2, then purged/relieved pressure a few times
Beer pours at 38-40 degrees
+1
If none of that fits the bill (38-40 my be too cold for a stout, IMO) then you probably over carbonated. High carbonation can make a beer seem more harsh and thin, will also remove some of the malt character and emphasize bitterness and unpleasant hop character (the latter more of an issue with IPAs). Try degassing with a fork in the glass and then pop in the microwave for 3-4 seconds to knock some of the cold edge off and see if it is closer to what you remember.
Tried it and nothing changed
It’s just weird to think a beer could oxidize and lose taste in a matter of 2-3 days
I hook gas up to the keg beer line and hit it for about 10 seconds before filling. Fill the the keg with beer and seal. Carb and burp with the pressure release a few times. I may start just holding the pressure release open for about 15-20 seconds after filling (with the co2 on) next time just to be sure.
Yeah I’m so disappointed, it was possibly the best bourbon barrel stout I’ve made and I was more excited to share it with all my friends…bummer
Was it an actual bourbon barrel, or chips/chunks? If chunks, maybe throw some into the keg to get it back?
Chips soaked in makers mark
I think I might actually do that
I guess I was thinking more than just the bourbon character faded. But sounds like that’s the only thing missing. If that is the case I agree with Jim, throw some wood in there. I have a lot of luck with the oak spirals. Get a medium char and toast it yourself at 400 degrees for 1-2 hours (or up to three) then char it with propane torch (you want only the surface charred, you don’t want to make a coal, so let it catch fire for only a second then blow it out.)
Here’s my two thoughts:
1st, how many different days have you tasted it? My palate changes day to day. I recently posted the same thing about an IPA I brewed that tasted flavorless - like seltzer water. I tried it a couple of days later and voila! The flavor returned.
2nd, I say let it mature for a month or two. It is amazing to me how a blah beer can transform into something interesting with a bit of time.
I would guess you need to let it warm up a bit before enjoying.
Update?