Octoberfest possibly gone bad...

Trying to figure out if this batch has gone bad on me... looks like its got some funk growing... but surprisingly several days after noticing it, it hasnt gotten any worse. and it doesnt smell bad either. Would be the first time a batch has ever gone bad on me so im not sure what to look for. and if it has gone bad i assume i should toss it right?

This happened after i transferred to secondary...

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e395/mat5182/Homebrewing/IMG_0864.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e395/mat5182/Homebrewing/IMG_0863.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e395/mat5182/Homebrewing/IMG_0861.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e395/mat5182/Homebrewing/IMG_0860.jpg

could it be the sanitizer?

Honestly, I think its bad and you should send it to me without delay....preferably already packaged in a keg and carbonated to be enjoyed before Oktoberfest season is over

I think it is some CO2 being released from solution because of the transfer. You just have some awesome head retention going on there.

Some things to keep in mind:

The contamination risk is greatest with un-fermented wort, and decreases significantly post-fermentation. Chances are slim that it would have been contaminated at this stage of the game.

If it doesn't smell bad, and it doesn't taste bad (you tasted a sample, right?) its not bad.

Never dump on a suspicion....90% of the work/expense is already sunk into that beer...there is no reason to be hasty and dump it.

good luck!

The bottom part just looks like yeast settling in the ridges. I don't know about the top, though.

Thanks for the replies guys, yeah i havent tasted it yet but i plan to...
Would be awesome if all it was was head retention, though its looked like that for a few days now.

Never thought it could be the sanitizer, i just used some one step? though it wasnt completely dry when i did the transfer. Also it was re-used sanitizer... ive been keeping a seperate bucket filled with it to save on the cost. but i wouldnt think that would be an issue.

Will keep you posted on the flavor outcome...

Ok so those pics i posted earlier were from a few days ago... i finally had a chance to look at it more tonight and did notice that its gotten a little worse.
Theres now little bubble pockets forming. I'm not sure what the cause was but i think this batch is officially contaminated. Not sure i really want to taste it.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e395/mat5182/Homebrewing/IMG_0872.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e395/mat5182/Homebrewing/IMG_0870.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e395/mat5182/Homebrewing/IMG_0869.jpg

mkozlowski said:

Ok so those pics i posted earlier were from a few days ago... i finally had a chance to look at it more tonight and did notice that its gotten a little worse.
Theres now little bubble pockets forming. I'm not sure what the cause was but i think this batch is officially contaminated. Not sure i really want to taste it.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e395/mat5182/Homebrewing/IMG_0872.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e395/mat5182/Homebrewing/IMG_0870.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e395/mat5182/Homebrewing/IMG_0869.jpg

Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure that's an infection. The good news, it's not undrinkable.. just rack from below the top and call it a sour ale or something

I never really liked one-step as a sanitizer, and re-using is probably the source of your infection. A great cleaner but not so great at sterilization. Just my .02.

Do you recommend another sanitizer?

mkozlowski said:

Do you recommend another sanitizer?

Click to expand...

Star San

:rockin:

Zamial said:

Star San

:rockin:

Click to expand...

Yep.

overflow said:

Yep.

Click to expand...

yessir.

Don't be afraid of the bubbles

I'm not saying this is the cause of your problem, but there is a lot of headspace in that carboy to be used as a secondary. Once primary fermentation is complete, not nearly as much C02 is released so you don't have that protective C02 blanket. Just something to think about in the future.