Topics

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General Homebrew Discussion / acetone smell (ethyl acetate?) in my barrel

« on: March 01, 2013, 09:11:01 AM »

My 15 gallon barrel just started smelling like acetone (nail polish remover).  I've only done 1 beer in it and it turned out great. My guess is I didn't clean it well enough afterward(?) Anyway, it smells like acetone now: did I just acquire some pricey firewood?  Or could I still use it as a souring barrel? Or even save it?

I don't really understand the ethyl acetate affect on homebrew.  I've searched and found mostly horror stories but I've also seen some good things associated with ethyl acetate.  Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

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General Homebrew Discussion / Infection, what's this?

« on: February 20, 2013, 08:45:42 PM »

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mweitekamp/8494294078/in/photostream


After 2 weeks in the barrel I saw a white powdery/film on top of the beer. I scooped a little off the top and this is what I got..  Smells and Tastes fine (the beer), but I'm a bit hesitant to drink anymore.. Please let me know!

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General Homebrew Discussion / Riddle me this.. Gas Lines Questions

« on: December 31, 2012, 03:50:02 PM »

I took my two pvc tubing gas lines off of the regulator. I've never cleaned them nor taken my co2 system apart, so I figured why not.. I've had some infected beer, and I figured it wouldn't hurt.  Anyway.. I took the two lines off and I'm looking at the ends where the Gas Disconnects go and one I can see down perfectly, and the other is pitch black... What am I missing?  Does one have a check valve?  Is there a cute little mouse living in there?  I'm avoiding taking them apart... but it may be my next step. Ideas?

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General Homebrew Discussion / Infection Because of Chamber Mold?

« on: December 09, 2012, 12:26:54 PM »

I had a couple guys taste my beer, and they all had a common denominator: Infection.  There is a slight sourness at the finish of all three. 1. Rye Ipa 2. Amber 3. Vienna/Saaz SMaSH.

Anyway, after a good while I've been trying to figure out what it could be.. I figured out all three beers had two things in common after the boil.  Same siphon hose AND fermentation chamber. The siphon house was exposed to brett awhile ago, however, I've made beers and haven't noticed it.  Also, my sanitation I feel is very sound. 

Secondly, and what I think may be the culprit is; mold in my chamber... and I had suck back on all three, I always do (doh!) Can mold spores exist in a starsan solution in my airlock?  And can that small suckback create an infection in my beer?  Suckback is happening when I lift airlocks off and before fermentation begins.  Also, there is a small amount of water around the carboy stopper that may drop inside if I don't lift exactly straight up!

*I can't keep up with the mold killing.  I've used baking soda to slow it down, but eventually it always arrives.  What does everyone do that may have mold spores floating around?? I feel like I cant be the only one with this issue..  Is cheap vodka the answer?  Advice please!  Thank You
-mw

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General Homebrew Discussion / Sunday Success double BIAB brew Day

« on: August 20, 2012, 03:57:29 PM »

 As my first post, I'd like to quick thank everyone for their insightful contributions.  I use a lot of information from these forums in my brew day, so thanks.  Secondly, I love to share with the community a success story.  I've been homebrewing for a little over a year.  It didn't take me long to switch to all grain, and then discover BIAB. 

The Things I Brew by: Small batches, Variety, and Cheap!  So with two pots at 4+ gallons, and two cheap home depot paint-strainer bags I figured why not..? I brewed an ALT and an OktoberALT simultaneously.   I made two small batches (2.5 gallons) in the time of one typical 5 gallon brew day. I purchased one vial of yeast, two oz of hop pellets, and about 5 lbs for each grain bill. (cheap shopping list..)  I split my 1 gallon wlp036 starter and 1 oz of Perle/ 1oz of Hallertau between the two.  I had both pots on an electric stove at the same time.  One took a little longer than the other to heat up to strike temperature, which worked out perfectly.  It gave me just enough time to mash in, cover, rest, pull grains, boil, additions, etc.. and then switch over to the other and do the same thing. I kept a wrist watch on for one pot and my microwave timer for the other and a big sticky note for both boils. Also, cooling down 2.5 gallons of wort takes me about 10mins, whereas, a 5 gallon batch ice bath will take me about 30mins.  I'd really encourage anyone who likes small batches and BIAB to give this a shot.  As long as you brew something that will take the same yeast and hops (depending on how frugal you are..) it can easily be done.. this is going to be my new typical brew day! (aha Moment)

here are a few questions/interesting points to be made.  I got 1 wort up to boil very quickly with a beautiful hot break (small pot) and then the next wort (bigger pot) took me about 30mins to get to a boil...  What will come of this? 

I made a 3L starter,planned to give each batch of wort about 1.5L (according to mr. malty), however, how do I measure this?? I measured my 3L starter out, then decanted, saved a little liquid, swooshed it around really well, and measured it out.  It came out to be 1.5 cups each?  Anyone have experience with this?  I worry about this splitting and pitching.