White film over beer???

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Sihitch2010

White film over beer???

Post by Sihitch2010 » Thu Nov 16, 2017 10:06 pm

Hi, I have a Wilkos Pilsner on the go in my garage. Have a homebrew heater in it and the fermenting bucket is wrapped in a duvet. I have placed the lid on the fermenter with the heater lead coming out, leaving a small gap.
It didn't seem to get fermenting like my previous beers, no thick foam, and now (6-8 days later) there's a white film over the top. I take it it's no good now?

BarnsleyBrewer
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Re: White film over beer???

Post by BarnsleyBrewer » Thu Nov 16, 2017 10:16 pm

I had that years ago during my kit brewing days, it fermented but not as it should've but tasted ok? I would take a cheeky taste sample with enough to get an hydrometer reading to see if it's dropped from the OG. If all appears ok I'd bottle or keg as normal.

If I was you and if possible I'd ferment inside under airlock in a 5 gallon wine fermenter under the stairs or downstairs lobby.

BB
"Brewing Fine Ales in Barnsley Since 1984"
- - - - - - - 30 years (1984 - 2014)- - - - - - -
Pints Brewed in 2021......... 104
Pints brewed in 2018.. 416
Pints brewed in 2017.. 416 - Pints brewed in 2016.. 208
Pints brewed in 2015.. 624 - Pints brewed in 2014.. 832

WalesAles
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Re: White film over beer???

Post by WalesAles » Thu Nov 16, 2017 10:27 pm

S,
I`ve done this kit a few times and never had a violent ferment.
Turned out OK in the end. First Kit was Bland, Bland, Bland. After a bit of tweaking they are BLM! :D
Send a pic of the `White Film`. It will be easier for us to put you out of your misery! #-o

WA

Sent from my Huge Sofa whilst supping a Chocolate Coopers Stout, Very BLM! :D

BB,
What can He do if He lives in a Flat and there is no under the stairs or Downstairs Lobby? :D

S,
Send a few more posts and you will be able to send pics, 5 posts I think, therefore I am. [-X
Last edited by WalesAles on Thu Nov 16, 2017 10:42 pm, edited 1 time in total.

BarnsleyBrewer
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Re: White film over beer???

Post by BarnsleyBrewer » Thu Nov 16, 2017 10:41 pm

WalesAles wrote:
Thu Nov 16, 2017 10:27 pm

BB,
What can He do if He lives in a Flat and there is no under the stairs or Downstairs Lobby? :D
Get friends with the janitor :D
"Brewing Fine Ales in Barnsley Since 1984"
- - - - - - - 30 years (1984 - 2014)- - - - - - -
Pints Brewed in 2021......... 104
Pints brewed in 2018.. 416
Pints brewed in 2017.. 416 - Pints brewed in 2016.. 208
Pints brewed in 2015.. 624 - Pints brewed in 2014.. 832

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IPA
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Re: White film over beer???

Post by IPA » Fri Nov 17, 2017 8:53 am

He's brewing lager no need to go above 12°
What temperature do you have the heater set at?
"You're not drunk if you can lie on the floor without holding on." Dean Martin

1. Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, thoroughly used, totally worn out and loudly proclaiming... "f*ck, what a trip

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Sihitch2010

Re: White film over beer???

Post by Sihitch2010 » Fri Nov 17, 2017 9:26 am

Thanks for the replies!
Can't brew inside because of space, BB.
It's an old boot homebrew heater and is not adjustable, IPA. I think it's set at 24 ish.

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IPA
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Re: White film over beer???

Post by IPA » Fri Nov 17, 2017 1:52 pm

Sihitch2010 wrote:
Fri Nov 17, 2017 9:26 am
Thanks for the replies!
Can't brew inside because of space, BB.
It's an old boot homebrew heater and is not adjustable, IPA. I think it's set at 24 ish.
Too warm for lager and most beers
"You're not drunk if you can lie on the floor without holding on." Dean Martin

1. Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, thoroughly used, totally worn out and loudly proclaiming... "f*ck, what a trip

It's better to lose time with friends than to lose friends with time (Portuguese proverb)

Alone we travel faster
Together we travel further
( In an admonishing email from our golf club)

MarkF_2703
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Re: White film over beer???

Post by MarkF_2703 » Fri Nov 17, 2017 3:24 pm

IPA wrote:
Fri Nov 17, 2017 1:52 pm
Sihitch2010 wrote:
Fri Nov 17, 2017 9:26 am
Thanks for the replies!
Can't brew inside because of space, BB.
It's an old boot homebrew heater and is not adjustable, IPA. I think it's set at 24 ish.
Too warm for lager and most beers
I think its an ale yeast in that kit.

Sihitch2010

Re: White film over beer???

Post by Sihitch2010 » Fri Nov 17, 2017 9:52 pm

What temp should I be looking for. Seen a set up online where the fermenting bucket is stood in a tub of water just with a cheap aquarium heater in it. Seems like a good idea...

WalesAles
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Re: White film over beer???

Post by WalesAles » Fri Nov 17, 2017 10:07 pm

Sihitch2010 wrote:
Fri Nov 17, 2017 9:52 pm
What temp should I be looking for. Seen a set up online where the fermenting bucket is stood in a tub of water just with a cheap aquarium heater in it. Seems like a good idea...
Shit,
It is a good idea.
Check the water temp in the bucket to set your heater, you may set it at 16deg, but it might show less on the thermometer.
I have to set mine at 26deg to get 22deg in the tub of water.
I don`t brew my lagers as lagers, I treat them as if they are Beers.
Lagering is too much Faff for my liking! #-o

WA

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orlando
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Re: White film over beer???

Post by orlando » Sat Nov 18, 2017 8:58 am

Sihitch2010 wrote:
Thu Nov 16, 2017 10:06 pm
Have a homebrew heater in it
Later in the thread you mention it is an old Boots heater. If you have dunked it in the brew it is likely the cause of the pellicle you are seeing, they are notoriously difficult to clean and sanitise, too many nooks and crannies. The pellicle is likely to be something like acetobacter or lactobacillus, which will produce a souring flavour to the beer. A better option would be to buy yourself a cheap builders trug that will accommodate the fermentor. Adjust the heat of the water in the trug until you get the temp in the beer you are looking for.
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