Meet My Friend, Glass Carboy
For many years, I did my primary fermentations in a plastic, True Brew bucket,
and did my secondary fermentation is a glass carboy. Recently, I asked
myself, “You know, what would it be like if I did both my fermentations in a glass
carboy? How would it affect the taste of my brew?” I had a go with an IPA, and
sure enough, the taste seemed different, and much better. This IPA was crisp,
smooth, and a good session beer, and I attribute the flavor to fermenting in a
glass carboy.
Now, fermenting in a plastic fermentation vessel has its advantages. First, it’s
cheaper and easier to clean than a glass carboy. Buckets can be replaced
cheaply. It is a good way to start out as a homebrewer, and I would recommend
it to anyone who is interested in brewing beer.
But, if you are willing to invest a little money to create a good quality brew that
surpasses what you’ve been brewing, begin fermenting in glass. It makes a
huge difference in the quality of your beer, and it will change everything you
know about brewing. Cleaning may be hassle, trying to wash away the little
specks of yeast stuck to the glass. But, homebrew shops have plenty of tools
to make your glass carboy clean as a whistle. Shops also have carboy carriers
that make lifting carboys really easy, so it would be good to invest in one of those
too. Dropping a glass carboy full of your delicious brew would be a disaster
unthinkable.
Lastly, using a glass carboy allows you to see they mysterious wonder behind
fermentation. Looking at the bucket, you have to wonder, “What is going on in
there?” You’ll never have to ask that question again if you ferment with a glass
carboy. Take a quick peek, and see the glory of fermentation, with your new
friend, glass carboy.
