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Author Topic: Help with bugs  (Read 2023 times)

Offline SecondRow_Sean

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Help with bugs
« on: May 08, 2015, 03:00:56 pm »
So I did a wort stability test on a batch I made back in September. I immediately smacked myself in the head because I used a mason jar (and lid) that previously had yeast in it and knew I didn't wash it well enough. Shockingly, it had a krausen on it a day later. I tossed it in the fridge after it looked like it was done fermented and figured I'd deal with it later.

Well I checked it today and it has a pretty nice sour smell to it. Pictures are below... but what do I do with it? Taste it and see? Keep it? I've just started getting into sours and I'd love to have a "house bug", but I'd like to hear from someone with more experience than me on this.






Offline brewinhard

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Re: Help with bugs
« Reply #1 on: May 08, 2015, 05:12:23 pm »
I am a little confused with where you think this "bug" came from.  Was it an infection that took hold in an otherwise normal process? 

Offline klickitat jim

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Re: Help with bugs
« Reply #2 on: May 08, 2015, 05:43:37 pm »
Out of sheer curiosity I would probably see what the pH is. If it was below 4.5 I might taste it.

Offline SecondRow_Sean

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Re: Help with bugs
« Reply #3 on: May 08, 2015, 05:50:20 pm »
Out of sheer curiosity I would probably see what the pH is. If it was below 4.5 I might taste it.

Hmmm. I don't know if I trust my crappy pH meter though.

Offline kramerog

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Re: Help with bugs
« Reply #4 on: May 08, 2015, 10:06:21 pm »
Out of sheer curiosity I would probably see what the pH is. If it was below 4.5 I might taste it.
+1.

Any idea if the beer is fully fermented? If it had been left at ambient temps, I would think it would be safe by now if the pH is below 4.5.  IIRC, the mad fermentationist said after 3 months a wild fermented beer should be safe.  Googling his site, I didn't see where he said that but you might be interested in this article: http://www.themadfermentationist.com/2011/05/american-lambic-spontaneous.html.

If it tastes OK (spit don't swallow), consider adding fresh wort so you have a 1/2 gallon to 1 gallon of this stuff.  Let it ferment at room temp for several months.  In the meantime confirm if what I remember about when it is safe to drink these things is correct.




Offline reverseapachemaster

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Re: Help with bugs
« Reply #5 on: May 08, 2015, 11:57:25 pm »
Give it a taste and see if you like it. If you do then toss the contents into a larger batch.

You said it had yeast in it beforehand. Was this yeast you bought? If so then you might have some of whatever was in the mason jar before in this mix. If it's sour or funky then you at least have some other stuff with it.
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Offline SecondRow_Sean

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Re: Help with bugs
« Reply #6 on: May 09, 2015, 11:05:43 am »

Any idea if the beer is fully fermented? If it had been left at ambient temps, I would think it would be safe by now if the pH is below 4.5.  IIRC, the mad fermentationist said after 3 months a wild fermented beer should be safe.  Googling his site, I didn't see where he said that but you might be interested in this article: http://www.themadfermentationist.com/2011/05/american-lambic-spontaneous.html.

If it tastes OK (spit don't swallow), consider adding fresh wort so you have a 1/2 gallon to 1 gallon of this stuff.  Let it ferment at room temp for several months.  In the meantime confirm if what I remember about when it is safe to drink these things is correct.

Pretty sure it's fully fermented, and I'm gonna give it a taste test later today. If it's good, I'll do as you suggested and add it to a 1 gallon of starter wort and let it sit for a while.

Offline SecondRow_Sean

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Re: Help with bugs
« Reply #7 on: May 09, 2015, 07:27:10 pm »
So I tasted it. Slight souring, but with a high fusel alcohol component and some slight funkiness. I pitched it into a 3L starter and am gonna let it ride for a while.

Offline kylekohlmorgen

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Re: Help with bugs
« Reply #8 on: May 12, 2015, 01:42:21 pm »
So I tasted it. Slight souring, but with a high fusel alcohol component and some slight funkiness. I pitched it into a 3L starter and am gonna let it ride for a while.

Let us know how it turns out!

Hopefully it works out for ya - I've been trying to 'catch' wild yeast with mason jars full of wort for the last few months with no success!
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Offline klickitat jim

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Re: Help with bugs
« Reply #9 on: May 12, 2015, 02:59:06 pm »
So I tasted it. Slight souring, but with a high fusel alcohol component and some slight funkiness. I pitched it into a 3L starter and am gonna let it ride for a while.

Let us know how it turns out!

Hopefully it works out for ya - I've been trying to 'catch' wild yeast with mason jars full of wort for the last few months with no success!
Try with more surface space like a bread pan.