I need some advice on a recent SNPA clone attempt. First some background:
I have been brewing all grain for about 1.5 years.
I use temperature control and mainly liquid yeast with a starter.
I am a freak about cleanliness after a few infected batches. I keep everything covered after flameout. (no issues with diacetyl)
I use closed transfer with CO2 from carboy to keg. I throw away my siphon hoses after 1 use. I no longer bottle, only keg. I take no samples during fermentation to avoid another vector of contamination.
My last batch was a SNPA clone attempt, the vital stats are:
3 gal batch
90 min boil
OG 1.054
FG 1.008
Grain Bill:
2 Row 94%
C 60 6%
Hops:
9g of 8.8 AA Perle @ 90 min for 21 IBU
17g of 6 AA Cascade @ 45 min for 24 IBU
26g of Cascade @ flameout
45 IBU total
Yeast / Fermentation:
WLP 001 which was 1 month before best by date
1.3 g Wyeast nutrient @ 15 min
1.5 liter starter on stirplate, crashed & decanted.
Ferm @ 69F, temp control, probe taped, insulated, to outside of carboy.
Healthy ferment 12 hours after pitch
Wort stability sample post cool/pre transfer was excellent & tossed after no growth for 7 days
WS sample post trans/pre pitch was excellent & tossed after no growth for 7 days
14 days primary
No secondary
Closed transfer to keg with CO2.
After 1 week in keg at 68F - Taste green, fruity, no diacetyl
21 days after kegging - Taste is better but side by side with SNPA, no hops, no bitterness, still fruity but better.
My palate is not good enough to distinguish which fruit but that is not the point really, it is more that it seems to be some sort of fermentation by product.
I am thinking I need to adjust my fermentation schedule somehow but am at a loss. I am confident there is no contamination because of WS samples and no sourness or really disagreeable off flavors, just the fruitiness that won’t let any maltiness through.
I thought that WLP 001 would be a lot cleaner.
Should I go lower on my fermentation temperature?
A secondary issue is that there is no bitterness or hop flavor. Maybe the fruitiness is masking? The Perle was purchased from a shop that keeps them refrigerated but in bulk. Won’t do that again.
Any and all help is appreciated.
Frustrated in Florida.