Whoa... that don't feel right

[SUCCESSOR]

I tried making a graf and while I did a couple dumb things like forget some malts I wasn't too worried about it. I took a sample while moving it out of the fermenter and it didn't taste terrible. Not great either but the flavor wasn't the problem. After drinking a bit my head started feeling what I can only describe as "foggy" not like being drunk and not like a hang over(especially considering this was minutes after starting drinking it).

Today I popped one open to try it and it still tastes not great and once again (after having about 6 or maybe 8 ounces) I got a really foggy brain and just a general bad feeling. Seriously WTF? Our AC has been a problem and I was lazy about trying to keep the temp down after the first week but I figured some off flavor would be made but not this.

 

[Michigan_Wolfman]

I tried making a graf and while I did a couple dumb things like forget some malts I wasn't too worried about it. I took a sample while moving it out of the fermenter and it didn't taste terrible. Not great either but the flavor wasn't the problem. After drinking a bit my head started feeling what I can only describe as "foggy" not like being drunk and not like a hang over(especially considering this was minutes after starting drinking it).

Today I popped one open to try it and it still tastes not great and once again (after having about 6 or maybe 8 ounces) I got a really foggy brain and just a general bad feeling. Seriously WTF? Our AC has been a problem and I was lazy about trying to keep the temp down after the first week but I figured some off flavor would be made but not this.

You've got fusel alcohol, which can happen with fermentation temperatures above 75 F. While it won't necessarily kill you, it will make you ill. Brain fog and headache being the two main symptoms. Dump the batch and next time pay closer attention to your fermentation temperature.

 

[SUCCESSOR]

I can't find anything saying fusels cause anything but a bad hangover. But assuming that is the case are you saying they will not age out?

 

[Michigan_Wolfman]

In the book 'The Joy Of Home Brewing' it states that fusel alcohols are a contributor to so called 'beer headaches'. Unfortunately, they will not age out of a batch of beer as they are the product of too high temperatures during the initial stages of fermentation.