Newbie Looking for Pellicle Help

[cechmanek32]

Hi, all,

So I've had a hiccup in my last few brews. I started about a year ago, had about 4 or 5 successful beers and now this is two in a row that are "contaminated."

As you can see from the photo, I've had a Pellicle form. I'm scouring the net to try and find out if my beer is lost and I'm getting mixed reviews. Ultimately, what I think I'm able to determine is that I can continue with the process as long as I don't mind the beer not tasting as it should. Is this correct?

The last batch I had I had a pellicle form and then when I transferred it to the carboy it got all cobweb-like so I knew that was an infection. Any reason I should throw this batch out? Thanks for all your help!

 

[ong]

It's definitely infected. How does it taste? It's safe to drink, just might not be that great. The off flavors will get stronger with time, so best to drink it quickly.

 

[ABVIBUSRM]

Yup looks like lacto..taste if it is too horrible to drink dump it and get a new brew bucket and toss any plastic hose/ auto siphon etc that touched this batch

 

[Yooper]

You didn't ask, but I'm sure that the reason for the pellicle is the wide headspace in the bucket. It must have been in the bucket a while, as generally a week or two is very safe but longer than that can be risky if you have a leak in the bucket so oxygen can allow bacteria and mold to grow.

The beer is infected, but if you drink it fast you may be able to consume it before the flavor is too bad.

 

[cechmanek32]

You didn't ask, but I'm sure that the reason for the pellicle is the wide headspace in the bucket. It must have been in the bucket a while, as generally a week or two is very safe but longer than that can be risky if you have a leak in the bucket so oxygen can allow bacteria and mold to grow.

The beer is infected, but if you drink it fast you may be able to consume it before the flavor is too bad.

Thanks, Yooper, didn't know a lot of headspace could be an issue since this has only happened my last two attempts. Every fermentation bucket I've seen (at least ones I can afford) are 6.5 gallons, which seem like they would all have wide headspace. Are there buckets that are closer to 5-gallons that would eliminate some headspace?

 

[Yooper]

Thanks, Yooper, didn't know a lot of headspace could be an issue since this has only happened my last two attempts. Every fermentation bucket I've seen (at least ones I can afford) are 6.5 gallons, which seem like they would all have wide headspace. Are there buckets that are closer to 5-gallons that would eliminate some headspace?

Headspace is fine during fermentation, and I have two beers right now fermenting in 8 gallon buckets. It's only when fermentation stops, and no new co2 is being produced by the fermentation that is an issue. So, during fermentation, it's fine in a bucket. But it's once fermentation stops that this is an issue. It sure seems like the krausen has long fallen in your case, as the krausen remnants along the side seem dried, and oxygen has allowed a bacterial infection to take hold. That's what I was talking about- it seems like it's been in the bucket a long time! Sorry if I sounded like this is confusing.

 

[cechmanek32]

Headspace is fine during fermentation, and I have two beers right now fermenting in 8 gallon buckets. It's only when fermentation stops, and no new co2 is being produced by the fermentation that is an issue. So, during fermentation, it's fine in a bucket. But it's once fermentation stops that this is an issue. It sure seems like the krausen has long fallen in your case, as the krausen remnants along the side seem dried, and oxygen has allowed a bacterial infection to take hold. That's what I was talking about- it seems like it's been in the bucket a long time! Sorry if I sounded like this is confusing.

Ahh, that makes perfect sense...my misunderstanding! Thanks for the advice, I really appreciate it!