Sour Smell ??

[ricardo]

Have had a Brupaks Kirkburton Ale in the FV for a couple of weeks now.
Fermentation started well then slowed right down...gravity reading
is now 1014 & has been for about 3 days now.
This is a 'strong' ale should end up about 6.5%.
It has a bit of a sour smell to it when I open the FV lid.
Brewed quite a few brews lately of all sorts......but this just smells a bit odd ???
Is it just me or could this be my first failure???
Have to say I have not tasted it yet tho.

 

[Wez]

Taste it

 

[ricardo]

Turned the heat off gonna taste it tomorrow when it has cooled.
Will report back !!

 

[Moley]

I've had a couple of brews which have smelled funny, or even vinegary. I think I'd like Aleman to confirm, but while yeasties are turning sugar into alcohol and carbon dioxide they also make esters, aldehydes and other stuff you could probably run your car on but wouldn't want to drink. Given a bit longer they clean up the weird hydrocarbons, the smells will go away and your beer will taste great.
:

 

[corby_brewer]

My last brew smelt like vinager, but then i found out the reason why, my darling daughter poured 1ltr of my pickleing vinager into the barrel. :shock: :sick:

 

[Aleman]

Could even be CO2, which can give a sort of sour smell/taste

 

[ricardo]

Thanks guys.......I have turned off the heat and will taste a sample tomorrow
night.
It might be that as it is going to end up as 6.5 % brew it is just smelling a bit 'green'.
Oh and by the way forgot to ention just kegged a brew of Coopers Stout.....and
that had a beautiful smell !!!!!!!!

 

[evanvine]

CB, I think you may have a little minx there
Ricardo as AM says CO2 can give a sharp pungent off smell.

 

[Moley]

My last brew smelt like vinegar, but then I found out the reason why, my darling daughter poured 1ltr of my pickling vinegar into the barrel. :shock: :sick:

:shock: :shock:
How old?
Meddlesome or malicious? Had you upset her in some way?
Let's just say that if it was one of mine they wouldn't be able to sit down for a week.

 

[corby_brewer]

How old?

3 in May.

Meddlesome or malicious?

She said she was helping daddy make beer.

 

[Moley]

3 in May. .... She said she was helping daddy make beer.

:lol: Aaah, sweet :rofl:
Excused the sore backside.

That'll teach you to fit the lid better and leave any liquids of a similar colour well out of reach :nono:

 

[ricardo]

To get back on topic
Update as promised........
Tasted my 'sour' smelling brew tonight.....and suprise suprise......tastes like
a 6.5% brew like what it is supposed to be !!!!
Extremely cloudy and quite a 'thick' mouth feel but that will condition out I think
Panic over !!!
Thanks for the reassurance guys.
:thumb:

 

[BarnsleyBrewer]

Dodgy yeast??
I always thought with kits when I used them in the 80's that the yeast was sometimes suspect with stale smells and loads of dead cells, this then leading to sluggish fermentation and maybe minor infections.
Things might have changed nowdays (doubt it) but I'd never go back to find out, I'm happy on the "Dark Side"

OVER AND OUT :thumb: