Red wine kit, overpowering weird smell

[JamesMcS]

Hi all, I'm into day 4 of my first red wine kit, a kenridge classic shiraz. A couple of days ago, the airlock was bubbling away very nicely, the lid was bulging a bit, and I popped the lid to have a look and a smell.

Since then, I haven't seen the airlock twitch. Have just cracked the lid again and there's a really strong and unpleasant smell of - well, I'm not sure - it's like the next level up from vinegar. Made me flinch away when it hit my nostrils anyway!

I've got a fish tank heater in the set to 23, and a thermo strip on the outside that says about the same.

So - any thoughts? I'll be gutted if curiosity had killed it!

Cheers

James

 

[Moley]

Fermentation can produce some weird smells, it is basically a controlled rotting process using an organism (yeast) which happens to leave a by-product which we rather like (alcohol).

In the process they make things called aldehydes, which have a vinegary smell.

If you're making cider it can often smell of rotten eggs.

Don't worry, it should usually pass after a few days.


Oh, and bucket lids are rarely gas tight, and its temperature might be just slightly on the high side but not high enough to do any harm. 20C would be better.

 

[JamesMcS]

Hi Moley, thanks for the reply - so no foam and no bubbling isn't the end of the world? Phew!

I'll turn the heater down a bit this evening and leave it until secondary day.

Cheers again

James

 

[Winchester]

I came home from work one day about a week into my first wine brew and the house stank. It lasted for 2 days and then I suddenly realised it was the fermentation!

Bear with it - the smell is worth the end result!

 

[JamesMcS]

Thanks winchester - so glad I signed up to HBF, i was ready to pour it down the drain!

I'll be racking mid week next week, so I'll report back then and let you both know how it goes.

Thanks again for the replies!

 

[Winchester]

Thanks winchester - so glad I signed up to HBF, i was ready to pour it down the drain!

I'll be racking mid week next week, so I'll report back then and let you both know how it goes.

Thanks again for the replies!

If you feel that you need a second opinion when you get to the tasting stage, please do not hesitate to ask. I am a very obliging person.....

 

[Brewtrog]

Yeah, brewing can smell pretty funky. My brewery is my bedroom, so it can get interesting. But to be honest you get used to it, and the benefits far outweigh any odd smells that generally go away after a while.

 

[JamesMcS]

That's reassuring to hear! Just had a delivery of bulldog cortez lager, should have a nice little collection going on soon...

Shame we can't share over the Internet winchester :)

 

[JamesMcS]

So we don't think the lack of bubbles in the airlock is an indicator of anything dodgy?

 

[Brewtrog]

Nah, I'm amazed that the airlock was bubbling if it's a 5gal bin, I've never seen mine move and I've made perfectly good wine/beer in them. If the CO2 can get out easier than through the bubbler it will do.

 

[JamesMcS]

Excellent, thanks for the advice all! The evil dog is certainly doing well - looking forward to kegging that bad boy!

What have you guys got on at the minute?

 

[JamesMcS]

Well - glad I didn't chuck it - the smell has really subsided, and an ex home brew neighbour has also reassured me that it wasn't an unusual smell.

After 6 days, the gravity is .996, so I've racked it off into the secondary. The guide says leave for 12 days, but as it's going to be ambient I plan to give it a few weeks before degassing etc.

 

[JamesMcS]

I just couldn't resist sharing

 

[JamesMcS]

just couldn't resist sharing

 

[Winchester]

View attachment 88 just couldn't resist sharing

I've only made wine once back in December/January and I was like a kid when I bottled it!

"I made that" etc etc etc. Sort of akin to the manly BBQ?!

 

[JamesMcS]

Definitely - I shudder to think how I'll be when I combine the two in a few months' time...

Just putting the cortez gold on now, made the wort a bit hot though so will have to practice patience

 

[chrissy]

Love the colour

 

[JamesMcS]

The beer or my half arsed attempt at decorating? :-D