A little thinking on growth's, Co2, alchohol, mold, off flavors.

[Mike-H]

Ok, I am on the search for an answer. I've done a fair bit of searching and see a few people who have shared my experience. "Sometimes" I get a light filmy substance on top of my secondary. This is usually followed by some smoky looking bubbles that really dont dissapate and possibly, if left longer it hardens into white confetti looking stuff (if you tilt the carboy a little on its side and it collects and drys).

So, I asked here, no real answers. I asked my LHS and he didnt really have any answers. Only that, he didnt hear of anything that he'd be concerned about. He also stated that most things that effect beer you cannot see.

So I kegged a batch that this happened too, it still tasted fine and once in a while I let out the co2 to see if its forming again and its not (Its still aging). I suspect o2 was feeding this surface growth, whatever it may be. Anyway, i'm not really concerned about it, but I DO want to know what it is.

Now, this stuff doesnt form for a LONG time. I sometimes leave beers in primary for 2 weeks, and secondary for 3-4 weeks. It can take up to 6 weeks before I even get it to a keg. This stuff seems to occur after maybe 3 weeks in the secondary, it certainly doesnt happen within a week. Is this maybe some type of autolysis? I am tempted to send it off to a lab for identification if I cant figure this out.

 

[Evan!]

Ok, I am on the search for an answer. I've done a fair bit of searching and see a few people who have shared my experience. "Sometimes" I get a light filmy substance on top of my secondary. This is usually followed by some smoky looking bubbles that really dont dissapate and possibly, if left longer it hardens into white confetti looking stuff (if you tilt the carboy a little on its side and it collects and drys).

So, I asked here, no real answers. I asked my LHS and he didnt really have any answers. Only that, he didnt hear of anything that he'd be concerned about. He also stated that most things that effect beer you cannot see.

So I kegged a batch that this happened too, it still tasted fine and once in a while I let out the co2 to see if its forming again and its not (Its still aging). I suspect o2 was feeding this surface growth, whatever it may be. Anyway, i'm not really concerned about it, but I DO want to know what it is.

Now, this stuff doesnt form for a LONG time. I sometimes leave beers in primary for 2 weeks, and secondary for 3-4 weeks. It can take up to 6 weeks before I even get it to a keg. This stuff seems to occur after maybe 3 weeks in the secondary, it certainly doesnt happen within a week. Is this maybe some type of autolysis? I am tempted to send it off to a lab for identification if I cant figure this out.

I've had this happen exactly once---on my Wheat Doppelbock. I just figured it had something to do with the flaked wheat, or something like that...and the beer turned out tasting just fine. Now, of course, that same beer is uncarbonated after, what, 2.5 months in bottle...but I doubt those two things are related. But then again, who knows? But really, dude, I wouldn't worry about it. I guess, if you wanted to shell out the cash, you could send it to a lab, but all they would do is tell you what it is...not where it came from or how to avoid it.

 

[Hopfan]

I sometimes see a film on the brew but I always figured it was from the hop oils. Never affected the taste. Can you post a pic of what you're seeing?

 

[kfgolfer]

I had those same smikey little white bubbles in my secondary on my last batch. It wasn't all over the top, just certain places. I just thought it was from dry hopping or something. Regardless, I kegged,carbonated and the beer tastes awesome. I wouldn't worry about it!!!

 

[Tony]

The clumps of white in spots in the secondary are usually tiny tiny bubbles being released from any left over yeasts, settling to the bottom. Usually, they form a ring, which mimics the bottom of the carboy, since carboys are usually raised in the middle, and the yeast settles in ring.

Palmer said "Only if something hairy starts growing on top of the wort should you be concerned."

I also think hop oils could leave a filmy oil at times, as different hops have higher oil percentages.

 

[david_42]

To settle the question of autolyse: Take some of the trub from your next batch and put it in a jar. Set the jar in a warm place for about three months. On an empty stomach, take the jar outside, open it and take a whiff. When the dry heaves stop, the scent of autolyse will be burned into your memory, forever.

 

[zoebisch01]

To settle the question of autolyse: Take some of the trub from your next batch and put it in a jar. Set the jar in a warm place for about three months. On an empty stomach, take the jar outside, open it and take a whiff. When the dry heaves stop, the scent of autolyse will be burned into your memory, forever.

roflmao. Fun times.