I removed the blow off tube, and placed an airlock on the carboy. The SG reading was 1.009 @ 72 F (1.010 corrected). The taste has a very hot (alcohol flavor) and is dry.
The flavor can be attributed to the following
- The yeast strain (Wyeast 1028) seems to attenuate very well, and usually produces a dry beer. As a result the beer is less sweet because the yeast has converted a lot of the sugars into alcohol.
- I mashed at much lower temperatures which produces a wort with more fermentable sugars
- I used 2 lbs of sugar in the raw. (can contribute a cidery flavor)
- I aerated the yeast starter and the wort before I pitched the yeast. This would result in healthier yeast and better attenuation.
This one will need to age a bit for the alcohol “Hottness” to subside.