Hello,
On Friday last week (4th November) I made a SMaSH using extra pale malt and Amarillo hops. I was very excited about the hops as they were this years harvest and hence nice and fresh. I posted mid-brew as I was so excited!
The brew went as planned, and I got to the end in good time. I followed my usual sterilising and cleaning regime which has worked with the last few brews with no problems, and with exactly the same gear.
The only problem I encountered was that I didn't have any yeast apart from a sachet that had been opened previously, a couple of months ago, and which was half full. It was Safale S-04 Dried Yeast, and I sprinkled it on top, as I always do, and mixed it in well. When I started brewing I'd seen the packet, however I assumed it was an unopened one. It was too late by the time I realised, so I had to go with it.
The problem I now have is that there is an awfully rotten sulphurous smell coming from the FV, which is in a brew fridge in the garage at a pretty steady 19c. The smell is managing to percolate its way into the garage and is pretty strong. The krausen took a while to form, too, about three days, and when it did it was not the usual lumpy thing, but an even coloured creamy foam, which is barely half a cm deep, and seems to be a bit reluctant to touch the sides of the FV as it fades towards the edges.
I now think this batch is infected, and will need to go down the drain, however I would appreciate some thoughts from forum members before I do this.
I'm disappointed, as I spent extra on the fresh hops, however it was only a matter of time, I suppose. Any comments would help me avoid the same situation again.
My thoughts as to the reason are :
1) I'm imagining things and there is no problem. (Unlikely, I fear).
2) The beer yeast had died and/or got infected, and the infection took hold first.
3) There was an infection from elsewhere as I am prone to having a look and a sniff when the fermentation is getting going.
4) I didn't sterilise properly, although I've not had this before.
Thanks for your comments, and I will bin it tomorrow evening unless I get some really positive reactions here.
Dog.
On Friday last week (4th November) I made a SMaSH using extra pale malt and Amarillo hops. I was very excited about the hops as they were this years harvest and hence nice and fresh. I posted mid-brew as I was so excited!
The brew went as planned, and I got to the end in good time. I followed my usual sterilising and cleaning regime which has worked with the last few brews with no problems, and with exactly the same gear.
The only problem I encountered was that I didn't have any yeast apart from a sachet that had been opened previously, a couple of months ago, and which was half full. It was Safale S-04 Dried Yeast, and I sprinkled it on top, as I always do, and mixed it in well. When I started brewing I'd seen the packet, however I assumed it was an unopened one. It was too late by the time I realised, so I had to go with it.
The problem I now have is that there is an awfully rotten sulphurous smell coming from the FV, which is in a brew fridge in the garage at a pretty steady 19c. The smell is managing to percolate its way into the garage and is pretty strong. The krausen took a while to form, too, about three days, and when it did it was not the usual lumpy thing, but an even coloured creamy foam, which is barely half a cm deep, and seems to be a bit reluctant to touch the sides of the FV as it fades towards the edges.
I now think this batch is infected, and will need to go down the drain, however I would appreciate some thoughts from forum members before I do this.
I'm disappointed, as I spent extra on the fresh hops, however it was only a matter of time, I suppose. Any comments would help me avoid the same situation again.
My thoughts as to the reason are :
1) I'm imagining things and there is no problem. (Unlikely, I fear).
2) The beer yeast had died and/or got infected, and the infection took hold first.
3) There was an infection from elsewhere as I am prone to having a look and a sniff when the fermentation is getting going.
4) I didn't sterilise properly, although I've not had this before.
Thanks for your comments, and I will bin it tomorrow evening unless I get some really positive reactions here.
Dog.
