First batch down the f'in drain...

[ChshreCat]

My point was simply that universally, using Wikipedia as a reliable source for information is being accepted - even in the traditional very stringent academic communities.

Sorry, I have to call BS on that one. I work at a community college and the students are taught right from the start that Wikipedia is not a valid source, don't use it. And this is a community college. You do it at a university and you'll get laughed out of class.

 

[JLem]

Say it with me: there are no pathogens that exist in beer. Not E coli, not salmonella, not even botulism.

but if it didn't ferment, it's not beer

 

[cimirie]

Sorry, I have to call BS on that one. I work at a community college and the students are taught right from the start that Wikipedia is not a valid source, don't use it. And this is a community college. You do it at a university and you'll get laughed out of class.

Two years ago, I would have said yes. I was taught that the scary internet was never an allowable source. But, with the growing popularity and extensive information to be learned on the net, most places of higher learning (and lower learning for that matter) are ever-so-slowly changing their views. I have two friends that are professors at large universities. In both locations, using Wikipedia as a source on a paper is fine - just not as the only source (which is actually a rule of thumb even when using traditional media).

As has been previously stated, just because a thought is printed in a traditional media device (ie book), doesn't neccessarily mean that the information is valid (ie smoking is actually good for you). Any kooky idea can get printed. So the emphasis on books good, internet bad isn't quite as rigid as it once was.

Your BS call was premature.

 

[Centexbear]

Two years ago, I would have said yes. I was taught that the scary internet was never an allowable source. But, with the growing popularity and extensive information to be learned on the net, most places of higher learning (and lower learning for that matter) are ever-so-slowly changing their views. I have two friends that are professors at large universities. In both locations, using Wikipedia as a source on a paper is fine - just not as the only source (which is actually a rule of thumb even when using traditional media).

As has been previously stated, just because a thought is printed in a traditional media device (ie book), doesn't neccessarily mean that the information is valid (ie smoking is actually good for you). Any kooky idea can get printed. So the emphasis on books good, internet bad isn't quite as rigid as it once was.

Your BS call was premature.

Higher learning? LOL

Academicians and research scientists aren't heading to Wikipedia for answers to unlock the world's mysteries.

Come on...

 

[Indyking]

Two years ago, I would have said yes. I was taught that the scary internet was never an allowable source. But, with the growing popularity and extensive information to be learned on the net, most places of higher learning (and lower learning for that matter) are ever-so-slowly changing their views. I have two friends that are professors at large universities. In both locations, using Wikipedia as a source on a paper is fine - just not as the only source (which is actually a rule of thumb even when using traditional media).

As has been previously stated, just because a thought is printed in a traditional media device (ie book), doesn't neccessarily mean that the information is valid (ie smoking is actually good for you). Any kooky idea can get printed. So the emphasis on books good, internet bad isn't quite as rigid as it once was.

Your BS call was premature.

Trusting on wikipedia as reliable source of information is ridiculous. I was just discussing this subject with my wife and she said that in her way to work the other day, the host of the radio morning show was complaining about wrong information about his show on wikipedia. Because of that, the host asked for listeners with similar experiences to call and turned out that a whole bunch of people called to report mistakes. Come on cimirie, what world do you live on?

 

[Indyking]

Say it with me: there are no pathogens that exist in beer. Not E coli, not salmonella, not even botulism.

Taste it! Come on! I've drank Star-san in the name of science. I turned out fine!
:fro:

Say it with me: what you posted above is pure, unmistakable, big deal BS!

My wife and I worked with Salmonella for years and I guarantee you it can grow in just about anything. Looked at reported cases of food poisoning by Salmonella in the CBC website and you will be amazed on sources of contamination!

E. coli is a bit different but it could also grow in wort. Clostridium botulinum, no!

 

[JebCkr]

Just to reiterate what everyone was saying...the smell may have been fermentation. I've had wheat beers that smelled like a big fart when fermenting.

Sorry, I have to call BS on that one. I work at a community college and the students are taught right from the start that Wikipedia is not a valid source, don't use it. And this is a community college. You do it at a university and you'll get laughed out of class.

Allthough no professor will accept wiki as a citation, it can be used to find other credible sources. As people write the articles they often times cite their info. Scroll down and find what looks like credible citations. I've actually had more than one professor recommend we do this.

 

[cimirie]

Allthough no professor will accept wiki as a citation, it can be used to find other credible sources.

All I'm saying is that some professors at major universities ARE accepting wiki citations in papers. Perhaps not the majority, but the acceptance is growing.

Come on cimirie, what world do you live on?

I don't care if you don't believe me. Just because you don't like what I'm saying doesn't make it any less true. Many university professors are accepting wiki citations. It's a discussion I had with my very good friend not too long ago who is a professor. Many "established" professors don't like the idea, but it IS becoming an acceptable practice in many (admittedly undergraduate) programs.

Academicians and research scientists aren't heading to Wikipedia for answers to unlock the world's mysteries.

Come on...

This I will 100% agree with. But college freshman aren't trying to unlock the world's mysteries either. They are simply absorbing other's info. Wikipedia is great for that.

 

[joel4482]

Yes, patience my young grasshopper

 

[Indyking]

I don't care if you don't believe me. Just because you don't like what I'm saying doesn't make it any less true. Many university professors are accepting wiki citations. It's a discussion I had with my very good friend not too long ago who is a professor. Many "established" professors don't like the idea, but it IS becoming an acceptable practice in many (admittedly undergraduate) programs..

Whatever Mr. Wikipedia... Funny, I was just reading the reviews of a book I want to buy and look what the most useful critical review brings in the title:

http://www.amazon.com/review/R70M68GEDIDM1/ref=cm_cr_pr_viewpnt#R70M68GEDIDM1

No need to say anything else plus I don't want to talk about this anymore.

Let's talk about beer!

 

[buffalobrewer]

when you do place your next order, get some extra dry yeast and put it in your refrigerator in case you get a dead yeast package in the future.

 

[XXguy]

1. take a good swig of liquid courage.

2. taste it, spit it out, rinse with vodka for disinfection, then spit it out, then some more vodka, swirl and then swallow! repeat as needed until desired effect acquired.

but yea, just 3-4 days is WAY too soon for any bacteria to take a good hold in there - if might have smelled sour'ish, but nothing like that. It does look like lager yeast fermenting at high temps.

maybe you got lager yeast that ferments on bottom and produces almost no foam? and the rotten eggy smell might explain it if you have fermented at "ale" temps...

oh well.. I would still have tasted it.

Somewhere in this thread - he posts that he used White Labs Irish Ale yeast.

I definitely agree though - there's no way some mutant bacteria caught hold & got going strong in just 3-4 days from boiled wort AND his yeast was totally dead. I'm much more willing to believe that maybe his yeast was not so fresh, slightly temp damaged, and took a while to get going.

And for all the rest - tasting doesn't mean imbibing. You can swirl something around in your mouth and spit it out if it's absolutely foul. It doesn't mean you've committed to drinking 12 ounces just because you tasted it.

I'm still not believing that it's a dump case. I think his yeast just took it's sweet time getting started.

 

[Ziggybrew]

even if it was bad, bottle it anyway! Serve when visitors or in-laws begin to get annoying.

 

[Andy_LV]

Somewhere in this thread - he posts that he used White Labs Irish Ale yeast.

I knew that, its just that whole thing looks like lager going mental in room temp.

---

BTW, is there any sediment on the bottom? if its plastic bucket, you can use flashlight to shine into it - should give you enough contrast to notice.

 

[Pommy]

I have to say, when I first read this thread I had two thoughts-

1) Yeah, probably infected if it smells THAT bad
2) Everyone is going to say it is still good and to let it keep going

Seems to have been right! On this forum, as so many people post that they screwed up their beer when they really didn't that it is the quick reply to say that it is still good rather than botched. With a smell that bad though, I would reconsider. Sulfur? That is fine. Full case of rotting eggs and a fish with it? Nope.

Most important thing, to the original poster, is that you know what your issue was. I figure with a good sanitizer you will be fine for the next round!

Happy brewing!

For me the alarm bells were ringing as soon as I heard "first batch". I have faith the brew will be fine.

PLEASE DON'T DUMP IT!

 

[Indyking]

This thread has become a sensation.

To dump it or not to dump it, that is the question.

The majority agrees the OP should keep it.

I would say, if you do, then get a good protective mask to bottle it because that wort is rotting as a case of eggs sitting outside in Texas summer for 10 days!

 

[cheezydemon3]

Thanks for getting back on track. There is enough knowledge here(despite some mis-information and drunken postings) to field this one sans wiki.

If you dumped this one, you missed out.

Even if there is infection, the yeast would still ferment the stuff, and my understanding is that what is left could not kill you.


DO NOT TASTE IT, DO NOT OPEN IT FOR ANOTHER PIC, ONLY OPEN IT TO RE-
PITCH YEAST. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, IT WAS PROBABLY OK BUT YOU INFECTED IT FOLLOWING ALL OF THE ADVICE IN THIS THREAD~!

 

[MikeRoBrew1]

Had to register to reply to this OP's issue. I have done only five batches so far, but in all of my batches I have used (EDIT: one-step) cleaner only, no sanitizer. My local shop assured me this is common.

I have also left my wort for several hours after placing in a bathtub with 6" of cold water.

These issues should not be your problem, imho. When in doubt, wait it out.

 

[tasq]

Had to register to reply to this OP's issue. I have done only five batches so far, but in all of my batches I have used cleaner only, no sanitizer. My local shop assured me this is common.

Sounds to me like you're using one step or something... a cleanser alone is NOT enough.

 

[cimirie]

Had to register to reply to this OP's issue. I have done only five batches so far, but in all of my batches I have used cleaner only, no sanitizer. My local shop assured me this is common.

Man, you have dodged a big ol' bullet. I know anything is possible - I myself have used equipment I forgot to sanitize. But...

Me thinks your local shop has done you a huge disservice by assuring you that that practice is common. You don't neccessarily have to use brewing sanitizer (StarSan, iodine, etc), but proper sanitation of some sort- not just cleaning - is one of the few "rules" of homebrewing.


Obviously, you use whatever method works best for you. But if you're looking for the "common" practice, it's sanitize, sanitize, sanitize!

 

[ChshreCat]

+1 on sanitizing. People will say "In the medieval times they didn't have sanitizers and they made beer". This is true. But they made crappy beer that they had to drink green before it started to grow a beard and crawl out of the fermenter and drink the blood of their goats and carry off their women. Seriously. There's a reason why we invented indoor plumbing, penicillin, Nintendo and Starsan. They make the world a better place. Nobody bathed back then either. Is that a good idea? Hell no. Wait... I've been drinking Ruination all night. I'm druk... I should be posting this in the drunking ranting forum or something. Nevermind. Go about your business. Nothing to see here.

 

[northernlad]

Have any of you forgot to clean your MLT out properly, left spent grain for a day or two or composted grain? I told my neighbor if he smelled a dead body don't worry, its my compost.
This doesn't have anything to do with Ecoli (not a chance), Salmonella (an equally slim chance) or botulism ( probably a better chance). He is sitting on a bucket of rotting grain juice. THere is no need to prolong the inevitable.

The rule of thumb is: if the smell backs you up, throw it out.

 

[Pommy]

Whatever it is, the OP need to let if ferment, bottle it and give it a month just to prove one way or the other. I still say let it ride, better to dump bad beer than good green wort (wherever it is on its way to becoming our favourite beverage) (also if the wort is actually green maybe it is best to dump it!)

 

[cheezydemon3]

IT IS HIS FIRST BREW 3 DAYS IN.

I don't trust anyone in that situation. My first brew was PHUCKED!!!! Wierd smell, huge moldy floaties.

Wish I still had a bottle of that Fantastic imperial stout.

 

[MikeRoBrew1]

Sorry I should have specified it was a one-step but many people still use sanitizers after that.

 

[cheezydemon3]

1 step has worked great for me, 80 or so brews.

 

[jbrookeiv]

IT IS HIS FIRST BREW 3 DAYS IN.

I don't trust anyone in that situation. My first brew was PHUCKED!!!! Wierd smell, huge moldy floaties.

Wish I still had a bottle of that Fantastic imperial stout.

It was actually four days.

I took the gravity again, and it hadn't moved one bit.

This leads me to believe my yeast arrived dead. It's hotter than hell here in FL, and even with a cold pack I think the yeast might have gotten overheated on the journey from TX.

AHS replaced the kit, so it's all good. Thanks for the tips everyone.

Also, the "He's a noob, it can't be infected" mentality is a little frustrating. Still loving these forums, but learning about the particular situation before chiming in and telling me it can't be infected would be great.

 

[smizak]

Aaahh dude! I guarantee you threw away good beer!

Completely exterminate all preconceptions you have about what beer looks and smells like while it's fermenting and brew a simple pale ale. Don't mess with a pineapple mango jalapeno graff mead Oktoberfest. Do something simple and get a handle on your process and techniques. Then experiment.

 

[jbrookeiv]

Aaahh dude! I guarantee you threw away good beer!

Completely exterminate all preconceptions you have about what beer looks and smells like while it's fermenting and brew a simple pale ale. Don't mess with a pineapple mango jalapeno graff mead Oktoberfest. Do something simple and get a handle on your process and techniques. Then experiment.

I still don't understand how after 4 days the beer could not have even begun fermentation and still have turned out okay.

 

[Hang Glider]

...Also, the "He's a noob, it can't be infected" mentality is a little frustrating. Still loving these forums, but learning about the particular situation before chiming in and telling me it can't be infected would be great.

Yeah, welcome to HBT - thick skin required, pick and choose your advice...you will get plenty of conflicting thoughts. Not as bad here as some forums, but definitely opinionated.

(Me - I would have dumped it and started over...)


On the other hand, we did have a lively OFF-TOPIC! discussion about Wikipedia, and you got a lot of action on this one ---