Substance on surface of beer

[James77]

Just wanted some confirmation on what this mushy green substance on top of my primary fermentation is. The lager is now 15 days in the primary and I added the hops on day 10. Is this substance just some of the hops on top? The image is attached.

Would appreciate any help.

 

[Brewnaldo]

Looks like hops to me aye

 

[soupdragon]

I'd say you're correct. Looks like the dry hops to me. They usually drop out after a week or so if it's cool enough, maybe longer if it's warm

Cheers Tom

 

[Stevieboy]

Yep. Hop gunge.

 

[The Baron]

Yep Hoppage

 

[dad_of_jon]

yup - don't check up on it every 5 mins or so as each time you open the lid you introduce a risk of infection.

once you've done a few brews you can even dispense with the hydrometer reading until bottling/packaging.

I.e. with my setup I know that once the airlock equalizes and its 2-3 weeks since pitching yeast (depending on the Original Gravity) that it's finished.

 

[James77]

I'd say you're correct. Looks like the dry hops to me. They usually drop out after a week or so if it's cool enough, maybe longer if it's warm

Cheers Tom

Cheers, thought so

does that mean I should wait for that settle before I bottle the beer. I was planning on bottling today, but should I wait for the sediment to drop?

 

[The Baron]

Yes let it settle out usually with a cold crash as you do not want hop residue in your bottles it gives them nucleation points and could lead to over carbing/bottle bombs maybe I am sure somebody with more knowledge will add or correct my thoughts

 

[James77]

Yes let it settle out usually with a cold crash as you do not want hop residue in your bottles it gives them nucleation points and could lead to over carbing/bottle bombs maybe I am sure somebody with more knowledge will add or correct my thoughts

I don’t think I would be able to cold crash it to be honest. Is it just about waiting for it to settle.
i Just took another hydrometer reading which was the same as 48hrs prior suggesting fermentation is done. However the reading is 1006 and on the instructions for this specific brew it says it needs to be 1004 and less. Is this relevant

I’m currently unsure whether to bottle or not today. I gave the hoppy sediment a gentle stir when taking the hydrometer reading. Do I still need to wait for them to sediment?

 

[The Baron]

If you can not cold crash in a fridge a garage at this time of the year will help it to drop as they are reasonably cool.
That's what I do put it in the garage

 

[Sadfield]

I don’t think I would be able to cold crash it to be honest. Is it just about waiting for it to settle.

Put the lid on tightly, wrap it in cling film around the join, then put it outside in a black bin bag. Should be plenty cold enough over night.

 

[soupdragon]

If you've got a Festival brand kit in your brew cupboard still to do they include a small nylon sock that you put over the end of your syphon tube. There's a little pull cord to keep it secure. Using them does work if you still have some good floating around but time and patience is the best idea if (like me) you can't crash cool. I now leave the brew to ferment for around 2 1/2 weeks then dry hop and leave for a week and a half. By that time the hops have dropped out, no "grassy" flavours either by the way. Even though the beer is then clear-ish, I still use the little sock just to be safe

Cheers Tom

 

[soupdragon]

If you don't have a Festival kit then the nylon veg bags that Aldi/Lidl sell for pennies are just as good

Cheers Tom

 

[Tanglefoot]

You could also transfer to a bottling bucket through a clean grain bag to catch the hop debris.


The pressure brewers will be twitching
at the sight of that uncovered fv

 

[Sadfield]

The pressure brewers will be twitching
at the sight of that uncovered fv

I open ferment half the time, and still twitch at peekaboo brewers.