smell of fermentation?

[woody34]

I am in the process of brewing my 2nd batch ever. I'm a noob. I was racking my Sweet Stout tonight. After 3 weeks in the primary fermentation bucket, I opened the lid and naturally took a huge smell of it. I was almost knocked backwards with a strong alcohol / chemical smell. I feared something went horribly wrong. However, after a few seconds, all additional sniffs were pleasant. I'm new to this, so is that initial strong smell expected or do I have a problem? I can't detect any chemical smell at all now and am not sure I ever truly did. I think its ok but wow was I shocked by the initial blast. Input?

 

[Copbrew133]

Could of just been Co2 being released from solution giving that initial blast due to the transfer and movement.

 

[Screech]

Not sure what is going on with your beer, however the smell usually changes a good bit with time. I prob. wouldn't worry.

Kevin

 

[chickypad]

Yep, that's CO2. Be careful if it's in a ferment chamber, once I nearly passed out and took a header into a chest freezer doing that sniff test.

 

[Stauffbier]

You got knocked on your butt by Co2!