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brewing process is a biological process sensitive
to environment and cleanliness. Even in the most
sophisticated breweries, occasional fermentations
do not perform as expected. Although The Beer
Machine® was designed to protect the delicate
fermentation process, it is possible that the unexpected
may occur. However, most 'surprises' will fall into
four main categories: sweetness, carbonation, haziness,
and sourness.
SWEETNESS-The Beer Mix® contains
maltose. Maltose will leave your beer sweet unless
it is completely converted to alcohol and CO2 during
fermentation. Sweetness in the beer is always due to
a lack of complete fermentation. The proper amount
of yeast is important. For this reason we recommend
using the yeast supplied with your beer mix. If the
fermentation is incomplete or 'stuck', the yeast may
have been killed by using water too hot to dissolve
the syrup or powder. It could also be rendered to sluggish
by using very cold water and a cold location for fermentation.
Putting The Beer Machine® in the refrigerator
too early has the same effect. If within the first
24 hours a foaming up, or fermentation 'boil' occurs;
then the fermentation started well, however, if the
beer taste is sweet, then the fermentation was likely
cut short by cold temperatures.
 CARBONATION-In The
Beer Machine® carbonation arises from two
sources. The fermentation process produces CO2 naturally
and the pressure control valve will trap a substantial
amount of this gas. The second, and more obvious
source is the CO2 cartridge provided.
If the beer is flat and tastes sweet, part of the
problem lies with an incomplete fermentation which
would produce less CO2. If it is not sweet,
but flat tasting., the fermentation gas could have
escaped from an improperly sealing gas valve, unsecured
cap or other seal leak. Once the leakage is identified
and stopped, additional carbonation can be supplied
with the CO2 injector.
* BEFORE USING THE CO2 INJECTOR, the beer should be refrigerated
first as it has to be thoroughly cold to carbonate well.
HAZINESS-This is caused
by either yeast remaining in suspension or a "chill haze".
We have worked very hard with our syrups and powders
to prevent the latter,
so the most likely cause of haze is the lack of proper
yeast settlement. Settlement (called flocculation)
takes time, and coldness, and requires the fermentation
cycle to be complete. Again, if there is residual sweetness,
this indicates whether the fermentation was not properly
completed. The cure here is a complete fermentation
and a long cold storage. Also check to be certain that
the float is dispensing your beer from the top of the
brew and is attached to the dispense tube. Otherwise
you'll be pouring from the bottom of The Beer Machine®.
SOURNESS-This may show up from time to time and is
caused by bacteria growing in the beer, thereby producing
acid. If your beer tastes slightly vinegary it is certainly
bacteria. These kinds of faults may show up in beers
kept for a long time, especially if they are warm.
Alternatively, The Beer Machine® may have
been inadequately cleaned and sanitized. A simple chlorine
or bleach rinsing prevents disappointments.
Odd things may also happen, which should be considered.
Did you use the yeast provided? Was your water clean
municipal or filtered water? Avoid well water unless
boiled first because it is untreated for bacteria.
Did you leave the vessel open? Did you stir the mix
with an unsanitized instrument? In spite of all these
possibilities, most people enjoy a great beer from The
Beer Machine® each and every time.
–Dr. Michael Lewis, Professor,
University of CA.
Dr.
Michael Lewis is one of the Brewing Industries most
renowned and respected authorities on the science and
industry of modern brewing. As professor of brewing sciences
at the University of California at Davis, he is widely
credited as a pioneer consultant to the micro brewery
industry. Dr. Lewis is one of only 50 scientists in the
world elected a Fellow of the Institute of Brewing and
a recipient of the 1985 Award of Merit from the Master
Brewer's Association of the Americas. Having published
more than 100 scientific papers on topics related to
brewing, is it any wonder why, under his careful guidance, The
Beer Machine® has received so many compliments
for the intelligence and engineering that it's design
has embodied. The Beer Machine® Company is
proud of it's many years in working with Dr. Lewis to
bring you continually improved products for The Beer
Machine® and looks forward to the truly innovative
and exciting new products soon to be released.
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