I’m trying my first batch of Northern Brewer extract ale. I’m using the Cream Ale. The picture of the finished product shows an very pale ale. However, the wort that I am fermenting is quite dark. I note that I cannot see through it to the other side of the carboy, so maybe stuff has to settle to the bottom first. OR have I done something wrong already?
stuff will settle out and the color will be different. it also looks much different in a glass than it does in bulk. sometimes some of the extract sugars carmalize on the bottom of the brewpot causing a little darker color, but that will not ruin the beer, in-fact it’s quite common. i wouldn’t worry about it unless it’s drastically different.
relax don’t worry have a brew. you just made beer! :cheers:
Don’t be surprised if it’s more towards amber when all is said-and-done.
You can only achieve the advertised colors with a full wort boil – that is, a non-concentrated boil. The concentrated sugars darken much easier. Also, be sure you’re not boiling the snot out of the wort. You just need to barely have the wort “rolling”.