Leaves in the boil

[MikeG]

Well, if you get an itchy throat, I wouldn't drink the rest

Itchy Throat Ale, awesome! Best of luck on your beer.

 

[GrizlyGarou]

Boiling will have killed any bugs, sure, but in the unlikely event there were any toxins in the leaves, they're not necessarily rendered harmless by heat.

It's probably just fine, but I think some small amount of caution is prudent.

If you can't determine what tree or plant the leaves were from, at least, rub a drop or two of the beer on the inside of your forearm and leave it there for an hour and see if you get any irritation. If you do, I wouldn't drink it.

That'll at least provide an indication of whether you're allergic to something in the leaves.

Do the rub it in your elbow thing if you're really worried about it. When you take the sample to check the gravity, rub a few drops in there. If no itching occurs in about a half hour or so, dip a paper towel or something in it then hold it on the inside of your other elbow with a bandaid or something. I doubt either way will lead you to have any problems unless you're allergic to beer, and I think you'd know if you were by now.

Also, I was joking about the bugs earlier. Any bugs would just help with head retention, they're mostly protein!

 

[gturner6ppc]

The last time I brewed outside, mashing took much of the day so I was boiling after dark. To provide some light on the brew pot I put a work light over it - so I kept having to scoop out moths.

I wonder if that dust on their wings acts like hop resin?

Hmm... Maybe next time I should add potato bugs. I'm pretty sure they're very bitter.

Anyway, take a quick stroll around the house and look at which trees were a likely source. Black cherry leaves are poisonous and can cause miscarriages and stillbirths in horses. Other poisonous tree leaves are black locust, oak (from tannic acid, and it's not very poisonous since a cow can eat oak leaves as half its diet before showing signs of illness), and elderberry.

But look on the bright side. If the leaves really are poisonous then you're just brewing a traditional London porter.

 

[azscoob]

there are a lot of Oleander bushes out here, and I would not hesitate to dump a batch if a few leaves got in during a boil. its not worth the risk, however, it is unlikely you have an abundance of poisonous shrubbery in your area I wouldnt worry, get the leaves you have seen in your yard checked at a nursery just to be sure.

Here is a quote on the Oleander I have to worry about getting into my beer:

"There have been numerous reports of poisoning and death from ingestion of oleander, oleander leaf tea, and its extracts. It has killed adults, children, pets, and livestock. Even a small amount of oleander can cause death due to its effects on the heart. Inhaling the smoke from burning oleander or eating honey made from its nectar can produce poisonous effects. Since such tiny amounts can cause death, oleander supplements and extracts from any part of the oleander plant should not be used"

 

[gturner6ppc]

there are a lot of Oleander bushes out here, and I would not hesitate to dump a batch if a few leaves got in during a boil. its not worth the risk, however, it is unlikely you have an abundance of poisonous shrubbery in your area I wouldnt worry, get the leaves you have seen in your yard checked at a nursery just to be sure.

You said "shrubbery."

 

[azscoob]

"we want.....ANOTHER SHRUBBERY!!!!"

 

[klamz]

I would like to know just how in the world does a whole bee make it into the bottle?!?! does it really fit through the auto siphon and bottling wand??????

 

[noblesquirrel]

I would like to know just how in the world does a whole bee make it into the bottle?!?! does it really fit through the auto siphon and bottling wand??????

Personally, I just lift up the carboy and pour it into each bottle. Sure, a bunch gets on the floor, but shamwows are really good at soaking up the beer and it's really easy to wring them out, back into the bucket.










(I'm kidding of course and am also curious if it fit through siphon tubing...)

 

[gturner6ppc]

It's really no stranger than finding a cat in your fish bowl.

 

[dwarven_stout]

I would like to know just how in the world does a whole bee make it into the bottle?!?! does it really fit through the auto siphon and bottling wand??????

That's what we were trying to figure out. The best we could come up with is that the bee landed inside the bottle to check out the beer before the cap went on, and got sealed inside. However it happened, it was dang hilarious.

 

[gturner6ppc]

Was it by any chance a honey lager?

 

[BlindLemonLars]

"we want.....ANOTHER SHRUBBERY!!!!"

Nee! Nee, nee!

 

[mothupiibm]

A boiled sealed can of beer before opened. Can one die once open and drink?

 

[smata67]

A 5,500 gallon tank truck with a sulfuric acid/cyanide solution pulled into my driveway and dumped it's entire load into my 8 gallon boil pot yesterday while I stepped away to answer the front door. Should I dump it or consider adding more yeast during fermentation?