Beer infected?

[Slate Miner]

This is my 5th beer kit brew, the first 4 have all been a great success with friends and family alike. However I'm concerned with my latest batch. :?

It's a Better Brew IPA, I used 500gms brewing sugar and 500gms medium spray malt, currently sitting in the FV and appears to have fermented in the usual way. Last night after 11 days I decided to take an SG reading (1012) and was quite worried to see white bits floating on top of the brew.

I haven't had this before, and although I'm still fairly inexperienced my gut feeling says that somethings not quite right. I've posted a photo which I hope some of the more experienced brewers will cast their eye over and comment on.

My previous ales have been the Woodfordes & St.Peter's beers, this is a different brew so it's possible it might look/ferment in a different way? :hmm:

Does this beer look infected/contaminated in some way? I haven't tasted it yet but the it does smell ok.

 

[31bb3]

Looks ok me what type of yeast have you used x

 

[calumscott]

Looks fine to me. :thumb:

I can see the "bits" that you describe in the photo but I'm pretty sure that's just yeasty crud from the initial burst of fermentation.

 

[graysalchemy]

Nowt wrong with that, it is probably still slightly active. As long as it tastes ok it will be. Alot infections manifest as a opaque film on the surface of the beer and will taste off.

I would get a constant gravity reading then let it settle for a few days and then bottle or keg.

 

[Slate Miner]

Looks ok me what type of yeast have you used x

Rapid reply! :

It came with it's own packet of yeast, unfortunately I didn't make a note. In fact I don't think it actually said on the packet what type it was. I just sprinkled it on top.

 

[Slate Miner]

Thanks for all the prompt replies :


You've all greatly reassured me. :thumb:

Although I've a few brews under my belt and just started 2 gallons of WOW last night, I still a paranoid newbie :shock: :lol: :rofl:


Excuse the stupid question but why would this brew fermentation look different to my previous brews? Is it down to different type of beer, supplier and yeast

 

[calumscott]

In terms of this one finishing I'd be inclined to wait a wee bit.

I've got one on (with a kilo and a half can of LME as the extras) and it was down to 1.010 after 7 days and I'm not quite convinced its done yet.

It doesn't tell you what the yeast is - the packets are however stamped with the name of the kit which again reinforces their marketing spiel that they use the right yeasts for each beer type. I'm guessing a proper ale yeast of some form.

So far most of my brews (all kits) have all looked a little different, I think that's the thing with brewing, its an organic process with loads of variables and once it starts to grow it's in control of its own destiny!

I also dry hopped mine with a big handful of chinook. Best mid-way trial jar slurp so far! It has certainly got the grapefruit zing I was hoping for.

 

[Slate Miner]

In terms of this one finishing I'd be inclined to wait a wee bit.

I've got one on (with a kilo and a half can of LME as the extras) and it was down to 1.010 after 7 days and I'm not quite convinced its done yet.

It doesn't tell you what the yeast is - the packets are however stamped with the name of the kit which again reinforces their marketing spiel that they use the right yeasts for each beer type. I'm guessing a proper ale yeast of some form.

So far most of my brews (all kits) have all looked a little different, I think that's the thing with brewing, its an organic process with loads of variables and once it starts to grow it's in control of its own destiny!

I also dry hopped mine with a big handful of chinook. Best mid-way trial jar slurp so far! It has certainly got the grapefruit zing I was hoping for.

Yes, I'll leave it it the FV until the weekend then bottle. Certainly the initial fermentation was very quick, going like a steam train for the first couple of days. :shock: :rofl:

I like the idea of dry hopping especially the grapefruit zing, I do like a hoppy beer : However I made a bit of mistake when adding oak chips to a cellar7 cab sauv, so I'm a little cautious about adding to kits at the moment. :!:

 

[Cyclops]

Looks fine to me, the clumps you see are tiny bubbles joined together :)