AT-JeffT
Well-Known Member
Hey HBT,
I'm currently battling a persistent infection and could use some opinions. I have a seemingly lactic infection that I would like to get rid of. Its infected 5+ of my batches now. My pale ale (30ibu) is gushing 2 weeks after bottling; IPA's (75ibu) take about 3 months.
Symptoms:
Gushing
Thin mouthfeel
Sour / Fruity aroma
I believe it is a lactic bacteria. The beer is not hazy or has a pellicle in the fermenter. However a forced wort (beer) test sampled before bottling indicated that the beer was infected before bottling.
I've had the opportunity to try a boatload of different things to eradicate the infection but so far no success.
I've moved locations (different residence entirely)
I've upgraded from BIAB partial boils to 3 vessel AG full boils
I've used fresh yeast, and fresh dry packets too
I've tried a new racking cane
I have 3 different fermenting buckets
What I've tried:
Bleach bomb; all fermenters, autosiphon, grain bag.
I was previously using a (sanitized) grain bag around my auto siphon to filter hop particles when bottling. I figured residual grain particles to be the source. The latest batch I boiled the nylon bag to try and sanitize it better. This batch used repitched yeast so this could be an inconclusive result.
I was taking OG measurements in the fermenting bucket with a sanitized hydrometer. I have stopped this practice in favor of a hydrometer testing tube.
I have been using the same plastic spoon for 3 years now. It's very stained. I leave it in the boiling wort for at least a few minutes before flame out and use it to whirlpool. Sanitary or questionable?
I have used the same immersion chiller for all batches. I toss it in 15min before flame out. I know this is common practice but is it a possible source?
My beers that are kegged do not suffer from this infection. I believe this is probably due to the constant cold storage.
Plan of Action:
New fermenting bucket, lid, airlock
New spoon (stainless?)
New (again) racking cane
No repitching yeast
Sorry for the wall 'o text. I am eager to hear any and all opinnions.
I'm currently battling a persistent infection and could use some opinions. I have a seemingly lactic infection that I would like to get rid of. Its infected 5+ of my batches now. My pale ale (30ibu) is gushing 2 weeks after bottling; IPA's (75ibu) take about 3 months.
Symptoms:
Gushing
Thin mouthfeel
Sour / Fruity aroma
I believe it is a lactic bacteria. The beer is not hazy or has a pellicle in the fermenter. However a forced wort (beer) test sampled before bottling indicated that the beer was infected before bottling.
I've had the opportunity to try a boatload of different things to eradicate the infection but so far no success.
I've moved locations (different residence entirely)
I've upgraded from BIAB partial boils to 3 vessel AG full boils
I've used fresh yeast, and fresh dry packets too
I've tried a new racking cane
I have 3 different fermenting buckets
What I've tried:
Bleach bomb; all fermenters, autosiphon, grain bag.
I was previously using a (sanitized) grain bag around my auto siphon to filter hop particles when bottling. I figured residual grain particles to be the source. The latest batch I boiled the nylon bag to try and sanitize it better. This batch used repitched yeast so this could be an inconclusive result.
I was taking OG measurements in the fermenting bucket with a sanitized hydrometer. I have stopped this practice in favor of a hydrometer testing tube.
I have been using the same plastic spoon for 3 years now. It's very stained. I leave it in the boiling wort for at least a few minutes before flame out and use it to whirlpool. Sanitary or questionable?
I have used the same immersion chiller for all batches. I toss it in 15min before flame out. I know this is common practice but is it a possible source?
My beers that are kegged do not suffer from this infection. I believe this is probably due to the constant cold storage.
Plan of Action:
New fermenting bucket, lid, airlock
New spoon (stainless?)
New (again) racking cane
No repitching yeast
Sorry for the wall 'o text. I am eager to hear any and all opinnions.