Oily sheen on beer? | HomeBrewTalk.com - Beer, Wine, Mead, & Cider Brewing Discussion Community.

Homebrew Talk

Help Support Homebrew Talk by donating:

  1. Dismiss Notice
  2. We have a new forum and it needs your help! Homebrewing Deals is a forum to post whatever deals and specials you find that other homebrewers might value! Includes coupon layering, Craigslist finds, eBay finds, Amazon specials, etc.
    Dismiss Notice

Oily sheen on beer?

Discussion in 'Beginners Beer Brewing Forum' started by MoonMaster, May 23, 2011.

 

  1. #1
    MoonMaster

    Member

    Posted May 23, 2011
    Just bottled my first batch a couple days ago and I'm concerned with what looked like oil on the surface of the beer when I transferred it to the bottling bucket. I didn't notice it at all when it was in the secondary and the only place I can think of that it came from is the pot I used to heat the priming sugar.I tried to clean it out beforehand with just water before I used it but there is a chance there is residual soap or olive oil that is now in my beer. How bad is this? I'm hoping its not a lot, but I definitely noticed it when bottling. The only other thing I could think of is that I was using starsan for the first time but I haven't seen anything online to indicate it could cause that.
     
  2. #2
    ETOHonboard

    Well-Known Member

    Posted May 23, 2011
    I'm not sure if it will affect the flavor too much, but if it is olive oil it could affect the head on your beer. I say ride it out and you should still be able to enjoy the fruits of your labor :)
     
  3. #3
    Boleslaus

    Well-Known Member

    Posted May 23, 2011
    My beer sometimes has that on top. Was it a hoppy beer, did you dry hop? It could be related to that. Its never affected the taste or head retention on mine.
     
  4. #4
    phenry

    Well-Known Member

    Posted May 23, 2011
    I've noticed an oily sheen on some of my beers in the bottling bucket, and come to think of it most of those were dry hopped. My guess is it's the oils from the hops. Anyway, the beer always turned out good, so I would just RDWHAHB :mug:
     
  5. #5
    ETOHonboard

    Well-Known Member

    Posted May 23, 2011
    Come to think of it, I have noticed it in my dry hopped beers as well.
     
  6. #6
    MoonMaster

    Member

    Posted May 23, 2011
    Not dry hopped or particularly hoppy, just an Irish Red. I am fairly certain its olive oil the more that I think about it, I initially thought it was soap but I had spaghetti a few days prior so oil would make sense and can be tough to get off. Kind of a bummer, but at least it wasnt in it the whole time. I went and bought a dedicated cheapo saucepan for the future so this wont happen again. Live and learn I guess. I'm still gonna drink it though!
     
  7. #7
    geneb

    Well-Known Member

    Posted May 23, 2011
    Every beer I have ever made had an oily sheen in the bottling bucket. None of them were dry hopped or particularly hoppy. I just always assumed it was hop oils. Never had any trouble with head retention or anything.
     
  8. #8
    Boleslaus

    Well-Known Member

    Posted May 23, 2011
    Thats what I'm thinking as well. Doesn't need to be dry hopped, just the fact that hops have oil makes it seem like a possiblity.
     
  9. #9
    ACbrewer

    Well-Known Member  

    Posted May 23, 2011
    I've done exactly what you described here. I've not noticed any carbonation problems, infact I often have to much - probably pour problems plus drinking vessel flaws. As afar as taste, I never had any problems.
     
  10. #10
    Breck09

    Well-Known Member

    Posted May 23, 2011
    Mine always seem to have an oily sheen on the top as well. Never thought of hop oils but always thought it might have something to do with the priming sugar I racked on top of. Either way I have never had a problem that I have noticed. It has always produced beer.
     
  11. #11
    MoonMaster

    Member

    Posted May 23, 2011
    Good to hear, thanks for the peace of mind. Hopefully its just hops related but its good to know it wont be ruined!
     
Draft saved Draft deleted

Share This Page

Group Builder