[topher.bartos]

I made two batches of all-grain in 2 consecutive days. These are my first all-grain beers ever.

The first one (the darker one in this picture) was supposed to be a Red IPA. Obviously, it's more brown than red so I'll have to experiment with less dark grain. I was going to put in 100% Citra hops to give it a citrus flavor and aroma but I couldn't find any in my area so I used all Columbus hops. The pre-fermented wort tastes and smells a bit horrible. I'm hoping it will mellow out. It's like drinking an onion covered in garlic. Not something I want in my beer.

The lighter beer is 100% pale malt with Magnum for bittering and Cascade for flavor and aroma. It actually tastes fairly nice. It's a bit fruity and extremely floral but I think it should clean up considerably after it's done fermenting.

I'm worried about the Columbus hopped beer. I'm considering blending the two beers. Cascade and Columbus hops seems to go well together. Or, I'll just wait it out and see if they both mellow a little.

[davidgzach]

Congrats on your first two all-grain brews! 

In regards to blending, I would keep them separate.  You will lose the ability to identify where you may want to improve if you mix them.  Just a thought.

Dave

[alcaponejunior]

Wort doesn't necessarily taste good.  Patience is a virtue.  RDWHAHB.  Give it time, but then if you're doing all grain, you probably already know that.

You might blend a sample, just for kicks, on bottling or kegging. 

[davidgzach]

You might blend a sample, just for kicks, on bottling or kegging.

+1 to this.

[erockrph]

I've been planning on testing this with some Summit, but supposedly copper can pull onion type flavors out of beer. Maybe try putting a length of copper tubing in the Columbus batch for a couple of days.

If it doesn't get better I still wouldn't blend it. Better off with one bad batch out of two instead of a double batch of something you don't like.

[topher.bartos]

Thanks for the replies! Definitely +1 to the blend a sample idea. I might bottle a 22 oz bomber as a sample to see how it goes with blending these two.

I'm looking forward to bottle my first all-grain beers!

Cheers!

[Slowbrew]

I'll add that you really can't judge the color in the carboy.  Wait to do your evaluation until it's all done.  I have had beers that looked black in the primary but were almost exactly what I was shooting for.

Start planning the next ones.  8^)

Paul