Well I am 2 weeks into fermentation with my hard lemonade and it really stinks. Smells like someone was baking bread but stopped halfway through and let it rot. Is this normal? Will it start to smell better as it gets closer to done? This is my first brew well second but both are still fermenting and neither smells like anything I want in my mouth.
My brew stinks
- Thread starter Saprobic
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I've never brewed hard lemonade, so can't speak specifically to that, but yes, some people do not like the smell of fermenting beer. Different yeasts will produce different odors, too - some smell strongly of sulfur, for example.
What is your other brew - is it a beer? What kind and what kind of yeast did you use?
What is your other brew - is it a beer? What kind and what kind of yeast did you use?
whatisitgoodfor
Well-Known Member
Sounds like you're running short on nutrient.
Add a couple of tablespoons of nutrient and see if the smell disappears. (I had a batch of rhino fart cider bubbling away a few months ago, after adding 3 tablespoons of yeast nutrient I got the biggest foulest fart of them all, then nothing but pleasant applely wonderful aromas for the week that it took for fermentation to finish.)
Add a couple of tablespoons of nutrient and see if the smell disappears. (I had a batch of rhino fart cider bubbling away a few months ago, after adding 3 tablespoons of yeast nutrient I got the biggest foulest fart of them all, then nothing but pleasant applely wonderful aromas for the week that it took for fermentation to finish.)
My first try at hard lemonade smells so bad I cant drink it... Second batch is great however.. The difference is I started the yeast for my second batch and had a nice big healthy starter. The first batch I pitched 3 times before it took off. I Think I am smelling dead yeast.
Ok great info all thanks. I will definitly add some more nutrients today. I did use a starter but no guarantee I did that right. 
My other brew is a dandelion "beer". I actually had to burp one as the bottle it was in was warping out visibly, the smell seems to have improved dramatically after sitting in the bottle for a few extra weeks.
Cheers
My other brew is a dandelion "beer". I actually had to burp one as the bottle it was in was warping out visibly, the smell seems to have improved dramatically after sitting in the bottle for a few extra weeks. Cheers
demonrichie
Well-Known Member
all sorts of fermentations have different odors give it time sometimes it taskes time evEN after bottling to get rid of odd odors and tastes. the nutrient shouldnt hurt it now let it be to age out
boo boo
Well-Known Member
Yeah, I've had lager fermentations smell so bad I thought someone had put spoiled meat in there.
It all mellows out in the end.
2 weeks is not enough time for the yeast to die and smell bed. You are probably just smelling the fermentation. Some yeasts and brews will give some nasty aromas, which are normal.
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