Infected Brew??

[rbtmc]

hey guys/girls,


this is like my third ever extract brew. I used extra yeast since it was past the date printed on the packet.

Haven't come across this before (brown bubbles on top that won't go away):

What say you? Is it cactus? Or will it be ok if I avoid bottling the beer near the top?

 

[birvine]

Hard to tell, but I bet it's ok.

B

 

[rbtmc]

Should I scoop that **** off the top with a sanitised implement?

 

[Revvy]

You should just leave it alone, and when you are moving it to secondary or bottling it, should just rack beneath it.

 

[ReefkprZ]

nah let it ride, it'll most likely be fine. you should see what a really funked beer looks like.
Ninja'd
check this link out, it shows some funked beers, its from some members of our local home brew club.
http://centralstreetfarmhouse.smfforfree.com/index.php/topic,67.msg447.html#new

 

[mikebowman]

i wouldnt. take a sample and test it, if it tastes fine, don't worry. if it tastes slightly off, skim it off and bottle/drink as soon as the gravity's low enough to prevent it from getting much worse. if it tastes really off, i think its a lost cause.

chances are though that its fine. don't worry

 

[rbtmc]

Thanks all! I'll taste a sample tonight.

 

[iron_city_ap]

I'm currently drinking this one. It tastes off so I won't let friends drink it straight, but its definately drinkable and not too bad if I blend it with another beer. Its a Pale Ale and I also have an IPA on tap, so they mix pretty well.

What style is it? How long has it been fermenting? You could definately rack from under the surface into a secondary and let it sit for a while longer than normal. I'm thinking it'll be fine.

 

[ellicit]

Let it be, however no need to pitch extra yeast just because of the "best by date" if your yeast is ever past that date, use it and make a starter to prove it and pitch.

 

[ThePearsonFam]

slightly off topic, but...

Consider making starters instead of pitching a second vial. Go here (http://www.mrmalty.com/calc/calc.html) to determine how much started you need... The benefit is that your yeast will be vitalized before pitching. It's easy...

 

[rbtmc]

What style is it? How long has it been fermenting? You could definately rack from under the surface into a secondary and let it sit for a while longer than normal. I'm thinking it'll be fine.

It's a Hoegaarden clone. It's probably been in primary for around 20 days at a constant 18°c. I don't have a secondary vessel, is this an issue?

 

[theredben]

Not having a secondary vessel is not an issue. Just rack underneath it when transferring to a bottling bucket. Keep us posted.

 

[rbtmc]

Took a sip -- surprisingly tasty!! I suppose I probably have nothing to worry about.

PHEW.

Ordering a couple kegs this week, can't wait to drink this baby on tap XD

 

[ThePearsonFam]

I don't secondary at all any more... Well, that's not exactly true... I only secondary when I'm doing something like dry hoping or fermenting with fruit.