What are your thoughts on this? Ok?

[timtoos]

Hi all,

Did a brew and transferred to secondary the other day (I know lots don't like a secondary but I've never had an issue and purge the heck out of the carboy with CO2 beforehand to reduce any oxidation).

When I transferred there were lots of yeast with big bubbles in it within the primary. Does this look ok? PS, The fermentation was definitely complete, using hydrometer checks to make sure.

The attachment Primary and racking.JPG is no longer available

I just thought it was just yeast so ploughed on with the transfer.

I transferred to secondary carboy with 300ml of isinglass (instructions recommend 200 - 500ml /25L, this was a 23L batch). I added finings as I need this beer something like pretty quick. I don't have a ferment fridge so do not have the ability crash cool.

Anyway, I checked this morning (1.5 days after) and its much clearer. I will transfer to keg tonight after work.

However this is on top of the beer surface. Its not chalky (I would normally have a clear beer surface at the stage though and this isn't).
I think its just a lot protein/yeast clumps which have not sank yet. Does it look ok?

The attachment Carboy.JPG is no longer available

What's peoples thoughts. I haven't checked since the transfer, but at that time, only 1.5 days ago, it smelt and tasted fine.

Thanks upfront.

[alexlark]

Looks to me that there was still some residual yeast activity.

[timtoos]

That's what I thought, however the hydrometer tests were static for 3 days. Maybe I should've left it longer.

[timtoos]

Carboy

This is what's on the beer surface. Probably just yeast and protein (I hope)

[BarnsleyBrewer]

Doesn't look too good..

[timtoos]

Doesn't look too good..

Infected???

[Rankin_leigh]

Was it an AG batch or had you added DME?
I had it before where i added some DME to bump up abv but for some reason it didnt fully disolve, presumably meaning the yeast couldnt get to all the sugar as it was sitting as a lump.
If that happened, the transferring to secondary would kick start any residual yeast to start fermenting again.

[timtoos]

It was all grain

[BarnsleyBrewer]

Defo an infection... I once had one similar when I first started brewing from cans in the 80’s. If I remember correctly tho it didn’t spoil the beer? It just looked unsightly in the fermenter!
If using DME I would always boil it so it’s been sterilised...
Good look with future brews, and don’t let this put you off my fellow brewer because we’ve all been there!!

BB


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[timtoos]

That's a shame. Haven't had an infection for a long time.
I did brew this outside though as fed up with all the condensation in the kitchen.
I did try and keep everything sterilised and clean and lids used where appropriate (chilling).
Not sure whether to dump this. The thought of a beer which has a infection isn't very appealing.

[BarnsleyBrewer]

Have a taste and if acceptable keg & carbonate but drink it quicker than you normally would.

Last resort is down the drain... Only time I would give it to the grate gods if it's acidic.
Do you ferment under airlock? I always use 5 gallon wine fermenters under airlock and never remove until the yeasties have done the bizz.

BB

[BarnsleyBrewer]

Just had a quick google and found this.... >>>CLICKY<<<

[Kev888]

Hard to call really: the picture in the OP could be floating yeast, I agree with BB that the carboy pics look less encouraging but it is a little hard to tell through the glass and condensation.

However, IMO never be too hasty to dump a batch - things can seem like infections which aren't and/or even some kinds of infection may not be terminal. I would at least taste it first to confirm it is bad; if it isn't then drink it as soon as ready just in case it deteriorates.

[timtoos]

Just kegged this beer. The photos don't really help due to inside of the carboy having condensation etc on the inside. A close inspection and to me the surface looks full of clumped protein and yeast from the isinglass addition which have not sank.
A taste test and it tastes fine, no iffy taste or smells. Maybe it's too early to tell but Im not sure it's infected or not - although usually the beer surface doesn't contain any floaters of any kind.

[Kev888]

Sounds encouraging; fingers crossed!

Yes, floating stuff can appear unexpectedly (or refuse to sink) sometimes, even after fermentation. A bit of disturbance, release of airlock pressure, or the addition of hops etc etc can allow CO2 to rise, and it'll bring stuff with it on occasion.