Classic newb panic attack

[Hammer0227]

The short..I popped my brew cherry on Saturday. Did a true brew all malt Amber. 5 gallons was the end result. Brew seemed to go good. I got it down to 80 degrees, and maybe made my 1st mistake?!? I started the transfer to my car boy and forgot to pitch my yeast. So I let it continue and just sprinkled it my brew pot. Once the car boy was filled, I air locked and give it a small shake. Fast forward 24 hours, (I actually checked it once in this 24 hour window and it was ok) I am headed to my basement and I smell beer. Panicked I run in and seem the mess..it wasn't awful, but it was a mess. I grabbed the airlock and crammed it back in. Did I contaminate it? I did but a second airlock in that was fresh, but was the damage done? The pic is tonight. Thoughts?

 

[freisste]

During blowoff, the carboy neck is pretty much a 1 way street. You're more than likely fine.

Control fermentation temps.

 

[DocScott]

My thoughts are these:

1. Not likely contaminated. Everything was forced out of the carboy, helping to prevent the bad bugs from getting in.

2. Hook up a "blow off tube" ASAP or the small mess may become a big mess

3. Get the beer to a temp around 65. (I can't quite make out your thermometer on the carboy).

4. You'll be fine! Thanks for including the picture.


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[govner1]

The short..I popped my brew cherry on Saturday. Did a true brew all malt Amber. 5 gallons was the end result. Brew seemed to go good. I got it down to 80 degrees, and maybe made my 1st mistake?!? I started the transfer to my car boy and forgot to pitch my yeast. So I let it continue and just sprinkled it my brew pot. Once the car boy was filled, I air locked and give it a small shake. Fast forward 24 hours, (I actually checked it once in this 24 hour window and it was ok) I am headed to my basement and I smell beer. Panicked I run in and seem the mess..it wasn't awful, but it was a mess. I grabbed the airlock and crammed it back in. Did I contaminate it? I did but a second airlock in that was fresh, but was the damage done? The pic is tonight. Thoughts?

I think you'll be ok and you'll certainly have beer. However, a couple of questions:
Did you pitch your yeast @ 80°? And did your sprinkle your yeast in your BK as you transferred to your carboy??
First, even if you don't originally get your wort to pitching temp (usually 66-68°) you can cover or out a bung or airlock in your carboy and chill it further. Then, pitch your yeast.


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[william_shakes_beer]

Just remember: the vikings and many early brewers fermented in open top vessels, and had no idea what yeast even was. They just knew if they stirred the wort with the magic family paddle it turned out better. The equipment available to hobbyists today is far superior to that available to professional brewers a hundred years ago. I say do your best and let the beer gods take care of the rest.

 

[unionrdr]

They also had a lot more bad batches until Pasteur came along.

 

[Hammer0227]

I think you'll be ok and you'll certainly have beer. However, a couple of questions:
Did you pitch your yeast @ 80°? And did your sprinkle your yeast in your BK as you transferred to your carboy??
First, even if you don't originally get your wort to pitching temp (usually 66-68°) you can cover or out a bung or airlock in your carboy and chill it further. Then, pitch your yeast.


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I did pitch it at 75 deg, and sprinkled as I transferred. Maybe a half gallon had made it to the carboy before the yeast light came on in my head.

Thanks everybody for the input. I feel a little better about it all. Now I just need some patience.

 

[number40fan]

Get everything cleaned up that is on the outside of the carboy. I'd even pop the bung and clean it quickly and put back.

 

[Hammer0227]

Another dumb question...do the true Brew kits have a shelf life?

 

[Hammer0227]

Get everything cleaned up that is on the outside of the carboy. I'd even pop the bung and clean it quickly and put back.

THis has been done

 

[gatorforty]

A - you should be fine. The first time I did a starter I remember coming downstairs the next morning to the same thing...airlock and bung on the ground, and beer/yeast/krausen everywhere, even on the ceiling. Beer was the best I'd made to that point.

B - I'm not sure about your process. Lots of people do it different ways, and I'm no expert, but I've never seen a process where you pitch the yeast before you rack to the fermenter. Typically you get the wort into the fermenter, cool the wort to pitching temp (if you don't cool it in the brew kettle), and then pitch the yeast into the fermenter.

Ron

 

[MyCarHasAbs]

B - I'm not sure about your process. Lots of people do it different ways, and I'm no expert, but I've never seen a process where you pitch the yeast before you rack to the fermenter. Typically you get the wort into the fermenter, cool the wort to pitching temp (if you don't cool it in the brew kettle), and then pitch the yeast into the fermenter.

Ron

I've been hover overing this thread for about 48 hours and haven't commented on this particular issue but was waiting for someone else to say something. I'm completely unfamiliar with that method as well. I supposed it could be done that way but def not what I've practiced from reading directions.

 

[unionrdr]

No need to pitch the yeast first. It'll dissipate into the chilled wort just fine after getting the wort & top off mixed in the fermenter. That's if you partial boil & need to top off that is. Even full boil, it's common practice to get the wort into the fermenter first.

 

[Hammer0227]

Yeah, I screwed up. I found my true brew instructions today, guess I was way too excited. I guess I will see what happens. Thanks for the help guys...

 

[intothegreatwideopen]

I think you will be fine. I did the exact same thing the first time.
The bung I had was too big. Forced it it. Had a crazy active fermentation. Tried taping it down (brilliant, I know).
Bung popped off, but tape held it close, so I could't see. It had been open for a few days, but covered in tape. Cleaned it all up, put the bung back in.
Turned out amazing. I think you will be fine.