Infection Identification

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by MrC on February 2, 2012 at 1:22pm

I've never had anything that looked like that but from what I've seen online it certainly looks like an infection, especially scum1.jpg.

How does it smell? Vinegar?
How does it taste? Sour? Acidic? Astringent?
Is it pleasant or offensive?

Check this out and see if you can narrow it down based on flavour & aroma:
http://www.kroc.org/Links/TroubleshootingGuide.htm

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Permalink Reply by Michael on February 2, 2012 at 6:02pm

I have had a beer look like this that tasted just fine.

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Permalink Reply by jm on February 2, 2012 at 7:02pm

Just took a sample and I can't taste any off flavours. I guess I'll give it a couple more weeks and bottle if nothing changes.

Thanks guys.

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Permalink Reply by Grant R Baker on February 3, 2012 at 3:00pm

It'looks' like a yeast reaction... which can happen.

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During normal fermatation the yeast easts most of the sugar but when transferring it to a carboy the yeast often comes back to life and ferments some more.

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Best said "It doesnt' look furry" .. so bottle it, try it.. and if you don't go blind or have to pray to the porcelin then yer good.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Jackman on February 3, 2012 at 3:22pm

Its a bit hard to tell from the photos but it doesnt look like anything too scary.  If it smells and tastes fine, its fine. 

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Permalink Reply by MrC on February 3, 2012 at 3:51pm

I agree that if it smells fine, tastes fine, doesn't make you feel ill and doesn't leave you with a nasty hangover then it's fine. I'd still keep an eye on it though just in case it is infected but you can't tell and you end up with bottle bombs.

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