S-04 Krausen / Secondary!

[Darcey]

Hello!

6 days ago I did my second all grain brew of a nice IPA recipe my HBS gave to me. Apart from some slightly strange metallic (copper) taste in the wort it seemed fine and as far as I am aware my cleaning regime is pretty spot on, however I am slightly concerned that the krausen looks very unhealthy. I have come today to rack off into a secondary after fermentation has calmed down but it looks rather sludgy and has a (slight) off smell. The brew has been kept to a constant 18-19.5C thermostatically and otherwise is in a generally stable environment.


IMG_1494 by darceyuk, on Flickr

does this look normal?
I guess Dr's and homebrewers hear that alot? :?

 

[StubbsPKS]

It is hard to tell if those are dark streaks in the krausen or just gaps allowing you to see the dark beer through it. If it is indeed streaks, it's likely to be ruined. If it's just gaps then it looks relatively normal to me in my admittedly limited experience :)

What does the off smell remind you of?

 

[Darcey]

Thanks for the quick reply!

Its a fermenting fruit (surprisingly) apple and yeast. But there is a slight medicinal alcohol smell. Given that I have been extra careful to keep my temperatures low and constant that's basically the oposite of what I wanted. I have had the apple flavour before and that doesn't worry me as it has at least another week in a 2ndary before it gets kegged or bottled and I find that flavour fades as the yeast fully converts the sugars and produces the correct forms of alcohol (well the tasty ones anyway!)

The 'cracks' appear to just show the beer below. I guess I am just panicing as I don't want my second all grain to be another failure .


IMG_1496 by darceyuk, on Flickr


IMG_1495 by darceyuk, on Flickr


IMG_1497 by darceyuk, on Flickr

.... *looks at sign 'Keep Calm and Carry On'*
:|

 

[Runwell-Steve]

I've got to be honest, that looks perfectly fine to me.

 

[StubbsPKS]

Yea, since it's not dark streaks, I'd say you're fine :)

Medicinal
These flavors are often described as mediciney, Band-Aid™ like, or can be spicy like cloves. The cause are various phenols which are initially produced by the yeast. Chlorophenols result from the reaction of chlorine-based sanitizers (bleach) with phenol compounds and have very low taste thresholds. Rinsing with boiled water after sanitizing is the best way to prevent these flavors.

What sort of cleaner/sterilizer do you use?

 

[Darcey]

Thanks all.

Its good to know your normal.. if you know what I mean.

Anyway my main point was!

Will I be ok to rack this off in to a 2ndary if im careful about missing the cake and the krausen? Usually after 5-7 days there is no krausen and I can easily syphon off the liquid. It just concerned me that was all. :wha:

Thanks again I think I'd be a dibbling mess with out this forum and its helpful inhabitance.

Maybe after afew more successful brews I will be a dribbling mess for the correct reasons (quality control) :drunk: :drink: :drunk: .

 

[Darcey]

Yea, since it's not dark streaks, I'd say you're fine :)

What sort of cleaner/sterilizer do you use?

I use VWP at the moment only because I bought a large pot. I find it does the job and its pretty good as a cleaning agent as well.

As this is chlorine based I'm looking for some other products as I am now using cornies and some stainless steel in my brew cellar and I have heard that is bad news to use bleachy stuff on shiney steely stuff.. or so is my limited understanding!

 

[Hawks]

I'd leave it in primary if it were me, 10-14 days then straight to keg / cask / bottles. I find S04 will drop easily in this time, have cleaned up well and be pretty bright beer.

 

[Runwell-Steve]

I'd do the same,

I leave in primary for 10 - 14 days then rack of direct into cornies.

As for Cleaning I use Oxy cleaner, cheap stuff from Tesco, (you find it with the washing powder)

I then sanitise with Starsan, as it's no rinse.

 

[StubbsPKS]

When using VWP (or any chlorine-based product) make SURE to rinse several times until you can longer smell the chlorine. At that point, I rinse again just to be sure.

I also have some no-rinse made up in a spray bottle which I'll then spray on practically everything in my kitchen, or so it seems :grin:

 

[Darcey]

Thanks for all the replys. I shall follow all of your wisdom on this matter and leave the brew in the primary for another 5 days, then I'll rack off and fine (sp?) over night then keg + bottle remainder. Any attempts at flash chilling will have to wait for a less precious project.

All beers are created equal.. but some are more equal than others.. :thumb:

 

[Darcey]

I'd do the same,

As for Cleaning I use Oxy cleaner, cheap stuff from Tesco, (you find it with the washing powder)

I then sanitise with Starsan, as it's no rinse.

Thanks Runwell-Steve I shall have a look next time I am tesco. I'm sure the misses wont mind me spending money on 'cleaning' products.