Is it infected?

[tommidolcetto]

Hi
Getting an unpleasant sweet/sour silage like smell from my fv.
It's a dark lager fermenting since Tuesday. Started noticing the smell Friday morning, using Saflager W-40/70, pilsner, chocolate and aromatic malts.

Opened lid this morning and no yeast on top where there had been first couple of days. Smell cleared quite quickly. Will see if still smells tonight when I get home from work.

Is it infected or just odd smelling?

 

[Brewedout]

You can get off smelling aromas during fermentation, if im worried I sanitise a spoon and taste the beer once fermentation has stopped. Some yeast is more prone to being whiffy than others. Did you follow the recommended temperature for the yeast?

 

[Jeltz]

Don't worry about smells too much, let it ferment out and taste it then. Chances are that its fine.

 

[tommidolcetto]

Thanks guys. Temp was ok.
I'll let it ferment out and taste it.

 

[pittsy]

Don't bottle your beer before the sulfur smell is gone you may need an extra week in fv , it will take a long time otherwise before it's gone if bottled too early .

 

[simon04]

I was quite alarmed by a vinegar smell from the FV recently......

Panic over - the beer was easy to drink :-)

 

[rpt]

Lager yeasts often produce sulphur smells.

 

[Runwell-Steve]

I have 2 fermenters full of lager in the garage at the moment, it absolutely stinks out there at the moment. Your lager will be fine, is perfectly normal for it to smell like rotten eggs.

 

[CaptainMallard]

Does Pilsner produce smells like crispy duck pancake rolls with hoi sin sauce? Fv is 22 degrees. Brewed tuesday. The smell is intermittent, but it might just be the new tenants in the flat below. :hmm:

 

[tommidolcetto]

Smells more like beer today!
I'll be leaving it in secondary for plenty of time before bottling.

Captain Mallard - if you're using lager yeast isn't 22c way too high? Have kept mine between 12 and 15.

 

[CaptainMallard]

Captain Mallard - if you're using lager yeast isn't 22c way too high? Have kept mine between 12 and 15.

{Tray heater} => {off}. :pray:

 

[tommidolcetto]

Gravity down to 1.011 giving it 5.1% alc vol.

Colour is not quite as dark as I was expecting, and although it still smells a bit off in fv the hydrometer sample has lovely choc and roast aromas and it tastes b*oody lovely. Probably not a classic lager but looking forward to drinking this.

I was a few minutes away from tipping this a couple of days ago!
Will leave it a bit more before lagering.

 

[c_burgess]

I'd stop opening/looking/testing it especially close to the end of the main fermentation, the less co2 given off the more chance of nasties getting in.

In future i'd use 2112 California Yeast from wyeast, known to be able to ferment quite clean between 15-20 degrees, will never be as clean as other lager yeasts but in a shed/garage at this time of year you shouldnt have a problem sticking near the lower end of the temp scale for this yeast. I know it costs about £8 a go but if you spread that over the length of the brew its only a few pence more per pint.

Fair play to you for having a go at lager, i play it easy and stick to ales every time.

 

[tommidolcetto]

Had a bottle of this last night. Am really pleased with it, soft roast coffee 'n choc flavours but a nice light palate. Easy to drink. Very easy.
Colour is that if a dark mild. Lacking a bit of head, fizz is there though so another week in the cold.

 

[pittsy]

sounds like no infection after all :thumb:

 

[tommidolcetto]

No, just smelly lager yeast!