The darkness...

[Ibasterd]

Hey borg. I just tried A BD "One Evil Pilsner" that I brewed on March 10. It like many of the beers I've made so far came out much darker than expected. I understand that some oxidizing occurs with extracts, but was wondering if there are any other contributing factors involved that would darken the beer. On this pilsner I only added some carapils on a steep. I plan on doing all grain BiaB from now on pending the results of my last batch, so if oxidizing of the HME is the problem, then I should be getting away from this issue I would think.

Cheers

[woody]

goggle or look up,( maillard reaction beer). I used to ask the same ? that you asked. hope this helps, I have not done any real tests with ph and beer color but my beer comes out lighter when using softer waters.

[BigPapaG]

You are correct.. Liquid extract tends to darken with age.

Also, depending on how long you boil it, it may also darken due to carmelization and or Maillard reactions.

It's tough to get a low SRM with most extracts... Particularly LME/HME in most cases.

Adding Crystal/Caramel Malt steeps also adds color (even the Dextrin malts add some color!)

When I want something in the 4-6 SRM range, I use Pilsen DME or anything labeled Extra Light DME and I stay away from LME in those cases...

For most brews though, color doesn't matter too much for me. When brewing for style though, I am cognizent of the range of color that I need to achieve to remain 'in style'.

[woody]

goggle or look up,( maillard reaction beer). I used to ask the same ? that you asked. hope this helps, I have not done any real tests with ph and beer color but my beer comes out lighter when using softer waters.

Maillard Reactions 101: Theory

[Ibasterd]

Also, depending on how long you boil it, it may also darken due to carmelization and or Maillard reactions.

As I recall, (should have taken better notes) on this one I did a 30 min steep with 10oz of Carapils, then did a 10 minute Sazz hop boil to the steep water. I didn't boil the HME at all. Curse Maillard and his reaction!. I usually don't get too worked up over the darkness of my beer, but when a Pilsner looks more like an amber, I'm not impressed. Oh well. I suppose It's called one EVIL Pilsner for a reason.

[T8rSalad]

Also, depending on how long you boil it, it may also darken due to carmelization and or Maillard reactions.

As I recall, (should have taken better notes) on this one I did a 30 min steep with 10oz of Carapils, then did a 10 minute Sazz hop boil to the steep water. I didn't boil the HME at all. Curse Maillard and his reaction!. I usually don't get too worked up over the darkness of my beer, but when a Pilsner looks more like an amber, I'm not impressed. Oh well. I suppose It's called one EVIL Pilsner for a reason.

Ahhhhh, the evils of brewing this recipe...now remember, it is not thy color sayeth the blind man but HOW does it taste is thy question!!!!!

[Ibasterd]

Ahhhhh, the evils of brewing this recipe...now remember, it is not thy color sayeth the blind man but HOW does it taste is thy question!!!!!

Honestly, I was a little disappointed in this one. It reminds me of my first brew, Mr. Beer's Classic American Light, and that's not a good thing. Maybe it will condition out a bit. Sadly this one was a bit of a step back at this point in the game. I think I'm just better able to pick up on that LME taste now. Plus I think it's more difficult to brew a really crisp light beer (especially from HME). any off flavors are more pronounced with nothing to hide behind.

[Brewbirds]

Ahhhhh, the evils of brewing this recipe...now remember, it is not thy color sayeth the blind man but HOW does it taste is thy question!!!!!

Honestly, I was a little disappointed in this one. It reminds me of my first brew, Mr. Beer's Classic American Light, and that's not a good thing. Maybe it will condition out a bit. Sadly this one was a bit of a step back at this point in the game. I think I'm just better able to pick up on that LME taste now. Plus I think it's more difficult to brew a really crisp light beer (especially from HME). any off flavors are more pronounced with nothing to hide behind.

You must be a fellow "Super Taster" ; there are a few of us on the Borg that seem to be hyper-sensitive to one off taste or another.

Oddly enough I found the One Evil that we did quite pleasant though I will go back and look at SRMs on that one.

If you still have one post a pic and I'll do the same just for grins and lookies.

[Ibasterd]

You must be a fellow "Super Taster" ; there are a few of us on the Borg that seem to be hyper-sensitive to one off taste or another.

Oddly enough I found the One Evil that we did quite pleasant though I will go back and look at SRMs on that one.

If you still have one post a pic and I'll do the same just for grins and lookies.

Ha! not sure if you'd need to be a "super taster" to detect the off flavors in this one. I'll post a pic in a few days. I just put the one in the fridge to try out and was not inspired to take a pic in the moment.

[philm00x]

I think it's time to venture into temperature control and yeast diversity!