[micsager]

It's me again......

Anyway, after recieving some guidance on next steps in improving my brewing, I've decided to go for repeatable beers.  I have an Amber that everyone loves, and I get many requests for....   I did a triangle (I think) tasting which proved useful, but when I described on this board, some say it's not a real good way to determine consistancy.

What is the best way to know if you've got the same beer you brewed last time?

Thanks as always. 

[James Lorden]

how about white labs quality control day.

http://www.whitelabs.com/qcday-2011.html

A bit pricey, but you could send two bottles from different batches and see how they come back.

[denny]

Knowing you've got the same beer as last time can be a bit tricky.  If you save some of the last batch, the aging might have an effect on your tasting.  But it's not an insurmountable problem.  You just need to work on training your palate (yeah, tough job!).  Reducing the amount of time between test batches can help, too.  Try brewing the same beer 2 or 3 weekends in a row.

[micsager]

Knowing you've got the same beer as last time can be a bit tricky.  If you save some of the last batch, the aging might have an effect on your tasting.  But it's not an insurmountable problem.  You just need to work on training your palate (yeah, tough job!).  Reducing the amount of time between test batches can help, too.  Try brewing the same beer 2 or 3 weekends in a row.

I'm gonna brew it this Saturday and Sunday.  so they'll only a be a day apart.  I'll ferment primary only for 14 days then store for a month.  Taht should take any agiing variable out of the equation.  Now, what's the best tast testing method?

[oscarvan]

To me it's like sex with the wife after 20 years. I got a pretty good idea it's going to come out all right, but there are always little nuances that keep it interesting. So unless you plan on going commercial I wouldn't worry too much about the molecular level and enjoy the little differences, if even noticeable.

My $0.03

[tschmidlin]

If you want to know if they're different, I vote for triangle test Mic.  You mentioned you did one before, so you know how to do one?  It's really the best way to determine if they are different, but it helps if you can have a bunch of people do the test blind.

[micsager]

If you want to know if they're different, I vote for triangle test Mic.  You mentioned you did one before, so you know how to do one?  It's really the best way to determine if they are different, but it helps if you can have a bunch of people do the test blind.

Remember Tom, tickets for Hops and Props go on sale Saturday.......

[micsager]

To me it's like sex with the wife after 20 years. I got a pretty good idea it's going to come out all right, but there are always little nuances that keep it interesting. So unless you plan on going commercial I wouldn't worry too much about the molecular level and enjoy the little differences, if even noticeable.

My $0.03

Thanks, I like your advice, but I have to ask.....   What's the deal with that picture?

[denny]

Now, what's the best tast testing method?

IMO, blind triangle.  Have someone pour (into identical glasses) 2 samples of one beer and one of the other.  Try to pick out the one that's different, and then try to identify which is which.