Is this normal?

[BostonJ]

Fermenting my first batch in a closet for about 4 days now in a fermenting bucket. It's bubbling like crazy and everything seems well. However, when I opened the closet door I received a smack in the face from the smell of beer. I'm hoping this is normal but I thought I might run it by the more experienced. This is probable a stupid question but I thought I'd better check.

 

[mc_eric]

As long as the beer is still in the bucket, you're in good shape

Yeah, it's normal.

 

[pkincaid]

Well... my dear sir.. you are indeed making beer lol

 

[sportscrazed2]

when my first batch fermented i had to stick my nose on top of the airlock to smell it

 

[Jamison]

My first beer is on day 4 also. It seems to be smelling more like beer each day.

 

[Strangebird]

Different yeasts will give off totally different smells too. And I'm sure different ingredients affect it as well. My smokey porter gave off almost no odor through the airlock while fermenting. My pumpkin ale smelled up my hallway (in an awesomely good way) for a few days while most vigorous part of the fermentation was going on. Search for rhino farts on here and you'll get an idea of how lucky you are with yours just smelling like "beer".

 

[bwomp313]

yes, if it smells like beer you're ahead of the game. some of the smells you'll get from fermenting beer are...well not appetizing

 

[pkincaid]

yes, if it smells like beer you're ahead of the game. some of the smells you'll get from fermenting beer are...well not appetizing

Ain't that the truth!
I'd say don't be alarmed by most smells during the fermentation process. Sulfer is a common on, and with hefeweizens... sometimes you get banana.