Another "Is my beer infected?" Thread, I'm guessing yes

[Wronguy]

Hi All, I was just getting ready to keg a Munich smash and noticed some infection looking characteristics. I cold crashed and added gelatin about 3 days ago and just noticed that there is a weird thickened layer on top and hair like things, from what I read this sounds like a pellicle but have never had an infection so I'm not sure. I don't think there was any signs of infection before adding the gelatin, so I am guess it must have got infected when adding it. The beer is sitting at around 34F and I'm wondering if it is possible for an infection to form after fermentation at low temps. I tasted the beer and it doesn't taste off, maybe a little sour but could be the placibo effect as I'm not an experienced brewer and never had a sour beer. Any help would be appreciated http://i67.tinypic.com/2cenkvs.jpg[/IMG]']

 

[Rob2010SS]

Doesn't seem to be a pellicle but it does seem a bit weird. A more experienced member will have to tell you if it's an infection or not. Curious to hear the responses.

 

[Wronguy]

Thanks Rob!

I took another look and it has a 1/2" distinct thickened layer on the top ( can be seen in pic 2 as the light layer ) and there is a hole in it where I took a sample today.

My hypothesis is that this may just be a layer of gelatin that has solidified on top. I used a wine thief to pour in the gelatin off the side of the carboy so I didn't oxidize my beer, I am thinking that may have caused the gelatin to not mix with the rest of the beer fully and actually form gelatin on top.

Let me know if anybody thinks this is possible or have had something similar happen.

 

[BrewInspector]

Possible... makes sense...
I can't tell by the pictures
If by 1/2" light layer you mean the sunset colored area below the krausen ring clinging to the sides... then yes the theory is reasonable.

I only question the stringy things hanging down from the layer. Could be some that began too fall before jelling.

Describe your method of preparing and adding the gelatine. Others will critique your method and tell you how you did it wrong or could do it better hopefully with a video link. (There are always differing opinions on how one should do anything)

An infection at that point would be unlikely but possible. If it is, either sanitation of the water, mixing container, mixing tool, or thief are the culprit. Seems even the gelatine entering the beer via the nasty looking krausen ring would be a less likely source of infection. I'm leaning towards your gelatine theory.

Maybe some better pics?

 

[Wronguy]

Thanks for the response BrewInspector

Yes I was referring to the sunset layer below the Krausen. For adding Gelatin I used boiled and cooled water in a measuring cup sanitized by starsan and microwaved to 150 and pitched using the thief.

I used the thief to poke at the layer a little bit just now and the one side has now dropped a little bit making me think more that it is just gelatin, pic attached. I have dropped the temp to just above freezing and will keg tomorrow, I will update with my findings.

 

[chickypad]

I don't see anything that looks like a pellicle but you're not really showing us a pic of the surface. That first pic in particular is completely unhelpful. What you're describing doesn't sound like a pellicle - a thick solid layer that you can punch through and it leaves a hole? Never used gelatin but certainly sounds like that must be it.

 

[Wronguy]

Update, I racked to a keg and it was gelatin as the whole raft of gelatin sank to the bottom, I'm guessing from me poking holes in it. I guess I wont be so gentle when adding gelatin anymore and may give it a gentle stir after adding. Thanks for everyone's help!