Plasticy Pumpkin Porter, people !!!

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by clearbrew, Oct 8, 2012.

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  1. clearbrew

    clearbrew Initiate (0) Nov 3, 2009 Louisiana

    Alliteration fun aside, I just keggged my pumpkin porter and it has a strong plastic smell/taste. I'm wondering if anyone has run into this before and knows what the cause could be. The taste reminds me of drinking from a garden hose. I brewed the same way as countless batches. So, I don't think it has anything to do with plastic equipment. I brewed with 2 cans of pumpkin in the mash, and spiced with 2 crushed whole nutmeg + 1/2 tsp powdered, 3 cinnamon sticks, 1 tsp mace, 1 3/4 tsp ground ginger, 8 all spice berries, 3 cloves.
    I'm thinking the ginger is the culprit, just cause I've never used it before.
    The batch went into the fridge after kegging in sat. So it hasn't really fully carbed or had a chance to age really. Do you think some age will help this flavor "fall out" a bit.
    I was planning to do an amber pumpkin ale for Thanksgiving, so I would like to figure this problem out so I don't make the same mistake twice.
     
    #1 clearbrew, Oct 8, 2012
  2. AlCaponeJunior

    AlCaponeJunior Grand Pooh-Bah (3,452) May 21, 2010 Texas
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Only time I had a plasticy taste was when I used tap water that probably contained chloramine. Since switching to spring water, I haven't had that issue again. Somehow with a beer that complex, I think you've got your water situation under control, but it's one thing you could eliminate as the possible cause.
     
    #2 AlCaponeJunior, Oct 8, 2012
  3. psnydez86

    psnydez86 Initiate (0) Jan 4, 2012 Pennsylvania

    What's the OG and how much yeast were pitched and did you do a yeast starter?? Sometimes under pitching can lead to plastic like flavors
     
    #3 psnydez86, Oct 8, 2012
  4. VikeMan

    VikeMan Grand Pooh-Bah (3,067) Jul 12, 2009 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    Plastic flavors from ale yeast are related to phenol production, which is strain dependent, and not (AFAIK) pitch rate dependent. Though I would like to read more if this is true.
     
    #4 VikeMan, Oct 8, 2012
  5. clearbrew

    clearbrew Initiate (0) Nov 3, 2009 Louisiana

    O.G. was 1.062. I used 1 pouch of Nottingham dry yeast in a small starter, pt. of water in 1/2 cup malt. I've used this yeast and starter numerous times with great results, so I'm doubting this was the problem.
     
    #5 clearbrew, Oct 8, 2012
  6. psnydez86

    psnydez86 Initiate (0) Jan 4, 2012 Pennsylvania

    Yea your right and so is Vikeman although I've had a bitter come out plasticky and I believe it was from repitching yeast and not washing that yeast which included old dead cells and trub. I would be suspicious of your water then and or a high starting fermentation temp
     
    #6 psnydez86, Oct 8, 2012
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