Mold? Should we bottle this?

[Hall_Brewing]

So this beer has been sitting in the fermentor for about 4 months, in a fairly cool room, and this is what we found when we opened the lid... should we bottle it? Would it turn out ok? Will it kill us? Probably doesn't matter, but it's a pater's bier using trappist high gravity yeast.

 

[Yooper]

It's a "pellicle". I am not good at identifying infections, but it is definitely infected. A long time in a bucket is the cause, due to the wide headspace.

The issue with infections is that some bacteria eat alcohol (like acetobacter) and some can digest more maltose than ale yeast, so bottle bombs can occur if the infection is active.

It looks like lacto at a glance. It won't kill you, just make the beer sour.

 

[Hall_Brewing]

Ok, thanks...it sucks when you get busy and can not bottle on time.

 

[FuzzeWuzze]

Sample from below, if it tastes drinkable then bottle...if its completely soured the beer depending on style it may be gross...really up to you.

 

[northcal]

I would dump that bad boy into the curb, unless it tastes good.

Let us know.

 

[nckmsn]

Ok, thanks...it sucks when you get busy and can not bottle on time.

If you don't have time to bottle then you should transfer to a glass carboy. Beer will last much longer in the glass rather than a plastic bucket. Also, 4 months on top of the spent yeast won't equal a good flavor. Moving the beer to a glass carboy will also allow the beer to age while not sitting on top of the spent yeast.

 

[Hall_Brewing]

Thanks, I was just being lazy and not transferring to the carboy, well lesson learned. I will bottle it and try it. What the hell.

 

[sumbrewindude]

Pitch Brett, transfer to a Better Bottle, and let that puppy sit another 5 month! Lambic FTW!

 

[Hall_Brewing]

So is there an effective way to cleanse
the bucket and fittings to kill this off and not spread it?

 

[TNGabe]

So is there an effective way to cleanse
the bucket and fittings to kill this off and not spread it?

Depends on the condition of the bucket. Considering that it is likely the bucket was already home to whatever caused this, it's probably scratched and it's unlikely you'll be able to get it clean. Buying a new bucket won't cost anymore than dumping another batch of beer, get a new one.

 

[Calder]

Try it. If it tastes fine, bottle it and drink it reasonably quickly. Brett and any souring bugs work slowly. If it tastes like vinegar, there is nothing you can do to save it.

Fill bucket with a mild bleach solution and leave for a week. A couple of ounces of bleach per gallon of cold water. That will fix any problem. Rinse thoroughly with HOT water to get rid of any bleach residue.

 

[Hall_Brewing]

Bottled it tonight. Definitly a sour tang. Not unpleasent. Hell, do you think I have polluted my botteling bucket aswell.