bulged top and funky airlock in fermenter

[rhodeislandbrewer]

This is my third batch of beer. order Triple Hopped Ale kit from Williams Brewing. boiled everything on Thursday, pitched the liquid yeast and put the bucket in the closet for 14 days. Yesterday I heard the normal burblings from the airlock, but today the top of the container is bulging upward and the airlock is really foamy. The closet is now smelling like wort/beer. Does anyone know what might have happened? Most importantly, is the batch ruined? I really hope that it isn't.

 

[Radarbrew]

Pull the airlock, and install a blowoff tube. Basically the same as an airlock, but is allowed to leak into a container of sterilized water. The tube should be stoppered like the airlock to keep potential nasties out, but the c02 that's building is also a good preventer, naturally. What you've got here is a good ferment going, and no place to off gas. It caused the bulge and that good ferment smell.
Smells like homebrew!

 

[Chillibeerman]

Sounds like you have a batch that is really too active for the bucket that it is in. The krausen backed up into your airlock and is making it difficult to breathe. There is always a slight chance of contamination when this happens, but if you sanitized everything properly you should be fine. Try a blow off tube next time. At home I usually use 6.5 gallon carboys. The krausen has never reached the airlock on a 5 gallon batch. Don't Worry...

 

[rhodeislandbrewer]

thanks...I'll install the tube this afternoon---thinking Home Depot will have clear tubing. It's a relief to hear that everything will be fine. Haleluya!

 

[david_42]

You may have to give the closet a wash once the fermentation is done.