Mold/Infection? (Pic inside)

[mhtrtc]

Hey Guys,

I made a porter that has been in the primary for the last 2 weeks. Before I added some bourbon & vanilla to it last weekend, I noticed the inside smelled a bit sour and you can see from the attached pic there is some white residue at the top of the carboy and a little on the glass. As far as the beer itself, the top has some small white splotches.

Based on the pic and sour smell at the top of the carboy, is this likely mold/infected beer or just yeast remnants? I don't have a ton of experience, so figured I'd ask you all-

Thanks in advance!
Jason

 

[jekeane]

The stuff at the top is likely just yeast/krausen remnants. but you won't know till you try it.

 

[mhtrtc]

So it would taste sour? I just want to prevent bottle bombs (worst case scenario)

 

[freisste]

It's probably fine. There's a good chance there is just some suspended yeast/krausen clumps that are floating from residual CO2. The top is most likely just some yeast that got stuck and never made it to the liquid. Did you use dry? Those "grains" stick to the damp edge really easily.

 

[mhtrtc]

It's probably fine. There's a good chance there is just some suspended yeast/krausen clumps that are floating from residual CO2. The top is most likely just some yeast that got stuck and never made it to the liquid. Did you use dry? Those "grains" stick to the damp edge really easily.

Thats good to hear. So is the sour smell likely the yeast that got stuck at the top?

 

[shortyz]

looks fine, drink it.

 

[RM-MN]

Gently rock the carboy to create some little wave inside. That may help the krausen settle.

Now would be a good time to take a hydrometer sample. Compare what you read against the expected FG. Drink the sample when done with the reading to see if you detect any real off flavor. Note that the beer won't taste like it will after carbonated and conditioned but it should not taste real bad. In a couple days you take another sample and if the hydrometer reading is the same the beer can be bottled if it is nearly the same as the projected FG.