Are these bubbles normal?

[ahappydude]

Hey y'all, I'm making my third batch heffenwise beer. It's currently in the secondary fermentation approximately 2 weeks after the primary. I'm worried that there's mold starting to grow on top, however it appears more bubblish in nature.

I did not notice this type of bubbling on the first or second batch but I also did not age those as long.

Does everything look normal to you?

 

[brewSJ]

Looks like a pellicle, not mold (see the “Pellicle Photo Collection" thread on the Science forum for more examples). Pellicles are a classic sign of infection. I would let it finish fermenting and see what happens. Sometimes you can salvage the beer, sometimes they’re dumpers, but you won’t know until you taste it.

 

[ahappydude]

When you say taste it, should I put it into a kegger bottle or just take some out of the fermenter? And I assume a bitter flavor or off pallet would mean it's ruined?

 

[eliastheodosis]

When you say taste it, should I put it into a kegger bottle or just take some out of the fermenter? And I assume a bitter flavor or off pallet would mean it's ruined?

I agree with @brewSJ that it looks like an infection. You can just taste it out of the fermentor. I would probably open it to taste and then just decide if I wanted to bottle. If so, then just go straight into bottling. Any unenjoyable flavor means it's ruined. If you like the taste, even if it doesn't match the style you wanted, then it's not ruined

 

[Boleslaus]

Also looks like a sign of infection to me. I had this happen on a batch of hefeweizen last year coincidentally. I kegged it at the first sign of infection and it never actually developed any sour or other off-flavors before I finished the keg. I'm sure keeping it cold helped immensely. If it tastes fine to you and you have the option to package and keep cold I would do so ASAP otherwise it will likely develop more sour or funky characteristics (depending on which bacteria) the longer you wait.

 

[IslandLizard]

Stop using secondaries! There's no need for them, except in a few cases, well outside the realm of beginning brewers.

Just leave your beer in the "primary" until ready to package.

 

[bailey mountain brewer]

^^ Took the words right out of my mouth.

 

[JAReeves]

Any updates on what you decided to do with the beer?