Dry-hop residue is partially black

[colemangis]

I dry-hopped two batches, one for 14 and one 16 days. As usual, both fermenters have a greenish, brown line of dry-hop residue at beer level. Besides being the typical green-to-brown, some of the residue is black. I've never dry hopped for 14 days, and have never seen this. The pale ales smell and look great. I was thing it was a natural occurrence since two batches showed the same 14 day results. Photos are below. Please help...

Fermenter 1: Huell Melon (image 3 and 4)
Fermenter 2: Citra (img 1 and 2)

Interesting the 14-day Citra hop has more black, hard residue that the 16-day huell melon.

Thanks,
Austin

 

[colemangis]

Sorry the photos are so large.

 

[slym2none]

That looks like mold to me, but I could be wrong... I often am.

 

[colemangis]

That looks like mold to me, but I could be wrong... I often am.

I thought it could be mold but it seems to have the texture of regular dry-hop residue. Does hop residue turn black after turning brown? Another thought: this is the first time I feremented in these stainless steel vessels. I washed them out, but I know sometimes there is a black oily coating on new stainless steel. Perhaps the hops picked that up? I thought I washed them well.

 

[colemangis]

I'll have to taste it to find out I guess.