Hard Pear & Cider Brew - White Film

[Kfo]

Hi Cider Forum!

I'm new to brewing. And I know ther are a bazillion posts about a white film forming...but I'm not expert enough to differentiate the white films.

I've got some pics of the white film forming on my cider in secondary, though it had started showing up in the primary before I transfered.

Any thoughts? Yeast? Bacteria? Some other thing I'm unaware of? Any recommendations about what I should do?

Edit: topic meant to say pear & apple cider ...!

Cheers,
Kelly

 

[RPh_Guy]

The film is called a pellicle, which is caused by wild yeast and/or bacteria. There's no way to know what microbe(s) are present just by looking.

You should keep oxygen exposure low. It's good you've minimized the headspace. What kind of airlock are you using?

You can consider using sulfite to control the wild microbes, especially if you have a pH meter. However, the wild microbes are generally not a problem in my experience if you minimize oxygen exposure.

Happy to answer any further questions.

Welcome to HBT!