off flavor....something like solvent

Frenchie Laurence · Post by **Frenchie Laurence** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 6:23 pm

Everything went well, smell was nice during fermentation, and during the first few day of racking. But by day 6 of my racking+ dry hoping some very strong solvent smell developped.....any idea what went wrong?

Frenchie Laurence · Post by **Frenchie Laurence** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 10:34 am

I dont think so, i use an aquarium heater set at 20degres, and the weather hasnt been that warm. But i couldnt swear it hasnt. I was otherwise thinking bug contamination as the strong smell came after 5 days of raking.

am going to buy new fermenter as this has happenned twice now. what surprises me is that it occured at day 5 post raking. So was wondering wether it coul dbe the dry hoping?

Frenchie Laurence · Post by **Frenchie Laurence** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 11:19 am

no, nothing new. If it is bacterial infection how would you describe the smell?

Frenchie Laurence · Post by **Frenchie Laurence** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 4:41 pm

no i'd say it is more sweet than vinagry...

Post by **Andy** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 4:46 pm

It's not a TCP like smell/taste is it ?

Frenchie Laurence · Post by **Frenchie Laurence** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 5:36 pm

i think it could be, a sweet type of TCP i'd say.

Gurgeh · Post by **Gurgeh** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 7:59 pm

or did you use bleach at all, when sanitising?

I failed to rinse something before christmas and that brew has a strong taste of cloves (which is why it still exists!)

I think you are describing a phenol problem, as DaaB is steering you towards.

Frenchie Laurence · Post by **Frenchie Laurence** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 9:42 am

I had a good snif at TCP yesteday and a good snif at acetone (i work in a lab) and it is definitely ACETONE!!!!!!! so at least i have identified the smell now! pfew....was driving me mad.
So what could cause a suddent burst of that gas in my racked beer, the hop bag?

steve_flack · Post by **steve_flack** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 10:23 am

As others have said, solvent aromas are usually due to excessively high fermentation temperatures.

Frenchie Laurence · Post by **Frenchie Laurence** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 10:32 am

i think i am happy with that explanation! will watch temperature carefully. And save gallons of beer.....Thank you all!!!!!!

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off flavor....something like solvent

off flavor....something like solvent