should i be worried

[abi]

Hi there,
My pale ale kit has been on the go a week now and gravity is down to 1014 from 1050, but what is concerning me is that there are little white bits floating in the beer and it tastes not much but a slight vinegar hint to it, my strong bitter i done last time which is now conditioning in bottles never had any white bits floating and the taste was a definite beer bitter taste and have high hopes for it, i know i sanitized everything and rinsed well do you boys out there think there could be a problem or am i worried for nothing? hope someone can give advice. cheers. abi

 

[pittsy]

kits do tend to have a odd taste to them early on a bit like flat crappy cider ish thin taste so prob all well and yes you do get bits floating around as long as it doesnt get worse it should be fine may just take a while to get nice from conditioning

 

[Eric_S]

I don't think a vinegary smell is a good sign. I do find whilst they don't taste particularly good to begin with, it should smell and taste like beer.

 

[PintofPride]

If it's only a very slight vinegar hint, it may pass. As already said, don't worry about stuff floating about. It's just clumps of proteins and yeast biproducts. It should all sink to the bottom or cling to the sides of the fermenter in time. If either of these things are getting worse then you may have a problem. Do nothing and keep an eye on it is my advice. Any opening of the fermenter will only increase the chances of making both of these worries worse, via oxidation and contamination.

 

[puravida]

I think a week is too soon to start worrying
Close the lid and leave it for at least another week before you sample again.

 

[jimp2003]

Agree with giving it a bit longer. If it is an infection there is not really anything you can do to get rid of it from the beer so you might as well wait and see. No point ditching a brew unless you are sure you have a problem.

Good luck! I hope it runs out ok.

 

[steve963]

some of mine are fine for a few weeks green, then smell slightly of vinegar in cheap plastic keg after a few weeks, before undrinkable vinegar, others from same batch but in different FV are fine in identical style keg.

Im gonna domestos everything from now on! :evil:

 

[Shayler]

I have had a few that smelt like vinegar, all turned out fine it was the top of the fermentation bucket that smelt and not the beer