Brewing when your sick

[Dave11980]

So here I sit, just bought a bundle of stuff to be setup to do an all grain batch and bottle a previous batch or two this weekend, and my nose is getting that all too familiar stuffy feeling. Is there any increased risk of contaminating my brew if I am infact coming down with a cold?

My first thought of course is RDWHAHB, but I want to make certain. I know most beer infections are bacteria or mold based while most colds are viral and I don't think a virus would fare to well in fermenting wort, but again, just want to make certain.

 

[Gremlyn]

Brew away! A virus wouldn't stand a chance to make it throught he boil, and even if you get it in there post-boil it won't be able take hold in the yeasties.

 

[CleverCugel]

Just make sure your drinking enough alcohol, should sterilize everything!

I would say normal sanitation should be fine.

 

[Pubwilson]

Here is a thread on brewing while dying!

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f13/brewing-when-sick-bad-idea-57292/

I say go for it, just ensure you sanitize yourself also and cut your tasting and whiffing down to a minimun for this batch.

 

[Homercidal]

Just try not to sneeze into the fermenter. yuck!

However, I tried brewing when I was sick and instead of making my sickness more enjoyable, it just made my brewing more sucky.