too much water?

Question

I was in the process of making a batch and didn't pay attention and I added

5 gallons of water instead of adding enough water to make 5 gallons. I did catch my error before adding the entire 5 gallons of water. My 6 gallon fermentor was FULL. maybe about 6 inches from the top. it did bubble like crazy.. I had to use the blowoff tube.. I bottled it and it looked and smelled like beer. my question is will it taste like beer? what will it be lacking in since it has a little over an extra gallon of water in the brew?

David M. Taylor · Accepted Answer

It'll be okay.  It's still beer.  It just might be a little thin and watered down, lower alcohol and lower body than you might have expected.  But it should still make decent beer.  Good luck.

Al Klein · Answer

On Mon, 7 Feb 2005 20:30:15 -0600, "gnizneb" said in alt.beer.home-brewing:

I take it you didn't check specific gravity, either before or after fermentation.

It'll lack in alcohol and flavor. But a change from 5 gallons to maybe 5-1/2 gallons? I doubt you'll mind drinking it.

Johnny Mc · Answer

I did the same thing on my Dopplebock of all beers. So I boiled up 3# of DME and added it. I did not hit my target OG, but I was damn close. As far as your beer, it will just be a little beer (not comparing it to the mega-swill). You could compare the difference to a Scottish Heavy Ale and a Scottish Light Ale. Both are good beers. You should have a balanced beer, because all ingredients were diluted equally. Keep a few bottles and redo the same recipe, but with the correct about of water, then compare the two. Who knows, you may prefer the light beer. Less filling! Taste Great! Sorry.... that just slipped out :^(

too much water?

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