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Beer/Booze gone bad!

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Expert: - 10/18/2009


Question
Hi Alan,

I'm working on my third batch of home made cider.

My previous batch went bad after about two months. I added the corn sugar to the wort so it would carbonate, and then chilled and drank them as I was ready to drink them.

The last few bottles I opened were all sour and gross. I think I've figured out the cause - is this because I wasn't refrigerating them? I added the corn sugar, bottled, and left them in my dark pantry. I put them in the fridge 2 hours before drinking.

On this new batch - if I let them ferment for maybe 5 or 6 days - and then refrigerate ALL of them until I'm ready to drink - will that prevent them from going bad?

Answer
Dave,

Sorry for taking so long to answer your question but I have had computer issues.

As to your problem, most likely your are not cleaning and sanitizing your equipment fully.  Usually the sower taste is a result of wild yeast contaminating the batch.  Cider should last for several months.

Here are some steps you can use to help.
 1. Clean with a commercial cleaner like Power Brewery Wash or even Oxy clean.
 2. Rinse with clean water
 3. Sanitize everything with a sanitizer like Iodiphor
 4. Be sure to boil your bottling sugar and let is cool.
 5. Refrigerate your batch after it has carbonated.  Cooler temps will extend the life of a batch.
 6. Also be sure to clean and sanitize your bottles and caps just like you would all of your equipment.

These steps should help with your problem.

Good luck,

Alan  

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Alan Ward

Expertise

I am a home brewer who has been brewing since 2000. For us brewing is a family activity with everyone helping in some small way. We brew mostly all grain batches, but we do some kits. I have built all of our equipment. We bottle and keg. Drop us an line, we will be glad to assist with answer or help you find where the answer is. In October 2008 we opened the Brigadoon Brewery & Brew School at the Texas Renaisance Festival. This is a unique brewpub and teaching facility located on the grounds of the Texas Renaissance Festival in Plantersville, Texas. To our knowledge we are the only functioning brewpub located on the grounds of a renaissance festival brewing using both period specific equipment and modern equipment to brew hand crafted ale and then serving it back to the public. Where we offer hands on training and live period appropriate all grain brewing through out the day. Drop by and we will be glad to answer any question you have. You can checkout the brewery at www.brigadoonbrewery.com or follow on twitter@brewschool.

Experience

Home brewing since 2000. Started with a Mr. Beer kit and worked our way up to all grain.

Former chemistry and physics teacher.

Education:
Bachelors Arts Teaching; Master Instructional Technology
Currently the Managing Member and Brewmaster for Brigadoon Brewery & Brew School.

Organizations
Master Brewers Associaiton of America Texas Craft Brewers Guild American Home Brewers Association Brewers Association

Education/Credentials
Bachelors in Sports Medine from Sam Houston State University Masters in Instructional Technology from American Intercontinental University

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