Infections
- Thread starter SMOKEU
- Start date
Help Support Homebrew Talk - Beer, Wine, Mead, & Cider Brewing Discussion Forum:
Suthrncomfrt1884
Well-Known Member
Not always. Usually taste and smell are big factors though.
sundowner
Well-Known Member
Beer can't get an infection. It can become contaminated...
If a beer gets a true "infection" which is rare, usually you will get a pellicule, which will look like a whitish skin on top, like this;
Or it will have things on the surface that hang down into the beer.
The beer may smell or taste a sour or it may smell/taste vinegary.
Not all infections are bad however, in fact many people brew Lambics and other sour beers and are proud of it.
The beer may actually be fine under it....or it may be slightly funky, and enjoyable, or you may have to dump it, if it smells or tastes too bad...but you wont know until you draw a sample and taste it.
(remember, nothing that can harm you, or make you sick can grow in beer, so don't worry about tasting it.)
Not knowing anything about your beer/recipe, and whether or not that is in your primary or secondary, or how long it's been there.
(Hint hint, the more info you give us, the better we can help you)
But most of the time what new brewers think is an infection, is just normal fermentation which is ugly, combined with newbish nerves...
Seriously one in every 150 "do I have an infection" thread is an actual infection.
And even then the beer might still be very drinkable....Maybe a little tart.
Because if you read the info in these threads, you'll see actually how difficult, especially with new equipment and even the most basic of sanitation practice...the beer will be fine.
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f39/has-anyone-ever-messed-up-batch-96644/
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f39/wh...where-your-beer-still-turned-out-great-96780/
SO more info, and pictures please, but I will say it over and over, it is really difficult for a new brewer in their first couple batches to get an infection. It is more likely that I will get one in the 10th or 30th or 50th batch as my gear gets banged up a bit....
LeafCutter
Active Member
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=63544&stc=1&d=1338752940
I racked my IPA into secondary with hop sock filled with 2 oz hops. 1 whole leaf 1 pellets.. It's been in there for 5 days.. Today I removed the tshirt and found this. I quickly took a sample (although a little hesitant) and it tasted perfect.. in fact a great brew... However, I haven't a clue what this is or if I should be concerned? I'm racking into Keg a little early just to remove it from this environment. Anyone have any input or suggestions of what this may be? Thanks.
Brewing/Sanitation was a normal day..
I racked my IPA into secondary with hop sock filled with 2 oz hops. 1 whole leaf 1 pellets.. It's been in there for 5 days.. Today I removed the tshirt and found this. I quickly took a sample (although a little hesitant) and it tasted perfect.. in fact a great brew... However, I haven't a clue what this is or if I should be concerned? I'm racking into Keg a little early just to remove it from this environment. Anyone have any input or suggestions of what this may be? Thanks.
Brewing/Sanitation was a normal day..
LeafCutter
Active Member
I'm pretty sure I closed off the hop sock really well... but I feel like an idiot that it could be hops(?) Would hops turn white after they've been in there for 5 days?? Or maybe pellets expanded?? this is my first time dry hopping with pellets. So I'm not too familiar with what to expect.
It looks like a thin layer of yeast came up from the bottom and broke up. I've seen that happen before. I wouldn't sweat it.
Similar threads
