I am trying to figure out what the almost clear 1/4" layer of liquid is on the top of my beer in my secondary. I hope the photo shows it clearly. I have had my Amarillo Pale Ale in my secondary for 20 days now and I have had this clear layer/ring on top for most of the 20 days, it has varied from 1/4 inch to 1/2 inches thick, stays at the top of the carboy, and is as clear as water when I look horizontally through it, but the rest of the beer doesn't look like it is clearing very fast. Hoping this ring was the normal stage of clearing starting at the top and working down, I moved the carboy closer to an outside window to try and lower the temp from 68-70* to 66-67* hoping to make the yeast less active and drop out, but my ring is still there and has not increased in size, and the rest of the beer below this clearer layer still doesn't look any clearer. I have tasted the beer and it tastes good so I don't think it is bad, but also don't think it is clearing correctly.
This is my first time at using a secondary and this ring might be normal but don't know.
Is this suspended layer of clear liquid residue or oil left after removing my hop bag? Might it be one of the less desirable alcohols produced during fermentation? Should I avoid siphoning this layer when racking into my bottle bucket or should I try to mix it in while racking? How much longer should I leave it in my secondary to allow it to clear further?
This is my first time at using a secondary and this ring might be normal but don't know.
Is this suspended layer of clear liquid residue or oil left after removing my hop bag? Might it be one of the less desirable alcohols produced during fermentation? Should I avoid siphoning this layer when racking into my bottle bucket or should I try to mix it in while racking? How much longer should I leave it in my secondary to allow it to clear further?
