Membership questions? Log in issues? Email info@brewersassociation.org

Author Topic: Fermentation Accident  (Read 4158 times)

Offline jrp5u

  • 1st Kit
  • *
  • Posts: 10
Fermentation Accident
« on: August 20, 2013, 02:18:29 pm »
We are brewed a Belgian double last week. We did not realize that the gravity was high enough that we would need a different airlock set up. Needless to say, it fermented rapidly and on the third day the lid blew off. We got it cleaned up and the beer seemed to be bubbling away and happy in there. Is there anything we need to do to make sure it is not contaminated etc?

Thanks!

Offline morticaixavier

  • I must live here
  • **********
  • Posts: 7781
  • Underhill VT
    • The Best Artist in the WORLD!!!!!
Re: Fermentation Accident
« Reply #1 on: August 20, 2013, 02:19:15 pm »
We are brewed a Belgian double last week. We did not realize that the gravity was high enough that we would need a different airlock set up. Needless to say, it fermented rapidly and on the third day the lid blew off. We got it cleaned up and the beer seemed to be bubbling away and happy in there. Is there anything we need to do to make sure it is not contaminated etc?

Thanks!

Nope, it either is or isn't. probably isn't. RDWHAHB
"Creativity is the residue of wasted time"
-A Einstein

"errors are [...] the portals of discovery"
- J Joyce

Offline mabrungard

  • I spend way too much time on the AHA forum
  • ********
  • Posts: 2903
  • Water matters!
    • Bru'n Water
Re: Fermentation Accident
« Reply #2 on: August 20, 2013, 03:55:13 pm »
Drink quickly!
Martin B
Carmel, IN

BJCP National
Foam Blowers of Indiana (FBI)

Brewing Water Information at:
https://www.brunwater.com/

Like Bru'n Water on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/Brun-Water-464551136933908/?ref=bookmarks

Offline duboman

  • Senior Brewmaster
  • ******
  • Posts: 1578
Re: Fermentation Accident
« Reply #3 on: August 20, 2013, 04:24:53 pm »
There was so much CO2 pushing out the chances of anything bad getting in is pretty slim. As long as you sanitized everything when you put things back together all should be good.

May I recommend a blow off tube for future batches;)
Peace....Love......Beer......

The Commune Brewing Company-Perfecting the craft of beer since 2010

Offline klickitat jim

  • I must live here
  • **********
  • Posts: 8604
Re: Fermentation Accident
« Reply #4 on: August 20, 2013, 04:49:29 pm »
Depends. How far did the lid blow and what did it land in. Lol

Offline majorvices

  • Global Moderator
  • I must live here
  • *****
  • Posts: 11334
  • Polka. If its too loud you're too young.
Re: Fermentation Accident
« Reply #5 on: August 20, 2013, 04:58:04 pm »
Any chance you fermented over 70 degrees? Sounds like a case of vigorous fermentation due to high temp, not high gravity.

Offline erockrph

  • I must live here
  • **********
  • Posts: 7793
  • Chepachet, RI
    • The Hop WHisperer
Re: Fermentation Accident
« Reply #6 on: August 20, 2013, 09:27:43 pm »
Plenty of breweries use open fermenters with no contamination issues. During the peak of fermentation there is generally enough CO2 blowing off to keep any contaminant-laden particles from landing in your brew. My bet is that you'll be fine.
Eric B.

Finally got around to starting a homebrewing blog: The Hop Whisperer

Offline anthony

  • Brewer
  • ****
  • Posts: 263
  • Hoppy to help!
    • Triptych
Re: Fermentation Accident
« Reply #7 on: August 21, 2013, 07:16:52 am »
At least a baby diaper didn't fall in while the lid was off.

Offline reverseapachemaster

  • Official Poobah of No Life. (I Got Ban Hammered by Drew)
  • *********
  • Posts: 3781
    • Brain Sparging on Brewing
Re: Fermentation Accident
« Reply #8 on: August 21, 2013, 07:52:43 am »
If you got drunk and accidentally used the open fermentor as a toilet I would say it's probably contaminated.
Heck yeah I blog about homebrewing: Brain Sparging on Brewing

Offline erockrph

  • I must live here
  • **********
  • Posts: 7793
  • Chepachet, RI
    • The Hop WHisperer
Re: Fermentation Accident
« Reply #9 on: August 21, 2013, 10:52:39 am »
If you got drunk and accidentally used the open fermentor as a toilet I would say it's probably contaminated.

Depends on whether you went #1 or #2. Urine is sterile unless you have an infection. Just tell everyone you overdid it with Citra and Simcoe.
Eric B.

Finally got around to starting a homebrewing blog: The Hop Whisperer

Offline klickitat jim

  • I must live here
  • **********
  • Posts: 8604
Re: Fermentation Accident
« Reply #10 on: August 21, 2013, 12:53:03 pm »
May I just say, Ick! This thread has circled the drain. Literally

Offline duboman

  • Senior Brewmaster
  • ******
  • Posts: 1578
Re: Fermentation Accident
« Reply #11 on: August 21, 2013, 04:28:38 pm »
Talk about a thread going south.... But a reminder that we all like photographs of these things prior to cleanup:D
Peace....Love......Beer......

The Commune Brewing Company-Perfecting the craft of beer since 2010

Offline reverseapachemaster

  • Official Poobah of No Life. (I Got Ban Hammered by Drew)
  • *********
  • Posts: 3781
    • Brain Sparging on Brewing
Re: Fermentation Accident
« Reply #12 on: August 21, 2013, 09:02:43 pm »
Of which part of this thread did you want a picture?
Heck yeah I blog about homebrewing: Brain Sparging on Brewing

Offline duboman

  • Senior Brewmaster
  • ******
  • Posts: 1578
Re: Fermentation Accident
« Reply #13 on: August 22, 2013, 04:32:52 am »

Of which part of this thread did you want a picture?

Exploding fermenters and krausen splatters of course!
Peace....Love......Beer......

The Commune Brewing Company-Perfecting the craft of beer since 2010

Offline erockrph

  • I must live here
  • **********
  • Posts: 7793
  • Chepachet, RI
    • The Hop WHisperer
Re: Fermentation Accident
« Reply #14 on: August 22, 2013, 05:24:09 am »

Of which part of this thread did you want a picture?

Exploding fermenters and krausen splatters of course!

Krausen splatters... is that what you get when you down the last sip of a bottle-conditioned beer?
Eric B.

Finally got around to starting a homebrewing blog: The Hop Whisperer