Mold on Krausen

Timelord_ · Post by **Timelord_** » Sat Oct 04, 2014 6:20 pm

Hey gang. Some info on what is going on here.
Brewing an extract cream ale. Very slow for fermentation to kick off (took about five days), when it finally did things seemed to be in good shape. However today, I popped the top to transfer to secondary, and I noticed what looks like mold on the krausen.
Is it mold, or something else?

http://i.imgur.com/lVahSE6.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; [1] http://i.imgur.com/2kZ0lar.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; [2]
Cheers,

Keith · Post by **Keith** » Sat Oct 04, 2014 6:29 pm

That's mold.

Post by **Jimmy** » Sat Oct 04, 2014 6:31 pm

Yeah, that's mold. I'd let it keep going and try to rack from underneath. If it tastes good, drink it up!

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Timelord_ · Post by **Timelord_** » Sat Oct 04, 2014 7:04 pm

Thanks for the feedback.

How long should I let it go? Before transferring to secondary, or should I get on with transferring now before there is any further infection?

Should I bottle the whole batch?

Keith · Post by **Keith** » Sat Oct 04, 2014 7:18 pm

Personally if there is mold the beer has an infection. I would personally dump the batch and fill the fermenter with boiling water and pbw to ensure its clean.

Post by **RubberToe** » Sat Oct 04, 2014 7:34 pm

Scoop the mold off right away.

Sent from the brew timer.

Timelord_ · Post by **Timelord_** » Sat Oct 04, 2014 7:49 pm

Transferred to secondary, left the 8-10 mold modules in the primary. Had a quick taste and it didn't taste terrible, but I have no idea what uncarbonated beer tastes like.

Guess the next 3-4 days will be interesting. More mold and I will chuck the batch...

mcgster · Post by **mcgster** » Sat Oct 04, 2014 8:33 pm

Did you have the lid sealed on the fermenter? Blue mould needs oxygen to grow and the co2 should have displaced all or most of it from the head space.

Id keep a close eye on it in the secondary. If the beer was going to be kegged and drank right away its conceivable that you won't have any issues, however i'd be wary of bottling it, not from the blue mould but there are likely other critters lurking like brett

Timelord_ · Post by **Timelord_** » Sat Oct 04, 2014 8:53 pm

No, the lid was not sealed, simply laid on top of the primary bucket as per the NG instructions. Sounding like this thing should be sealed up tight with an airlock.

This is my 8-9th batch, and have not had a problem with initial fermentation. I *think* that the delayed kickoff of fermentation may be the problem here. No airtight container for 7 days.......

amartin · Post by **amartin** » Sat Oct 04, 2014 9:36 pm

I'd think the delayed fermentation might be the bigger problem. If it was fermenting, the CO2 would purge the head space to keep out oxygen.

jtmwhyte · Post by **jtmwhyte** » Sat Oct 04, 2014 9:42 pm

I'd usually say "dump it, life's too short to drink bad beer" but I just resurrected a Saison I thought was shot, so you never know

Timelord_ · Post by **Timelord_** » Sat Oct 04, 2014 9:58 pm

At this point, it is a fingers crossed ordeal. I have an irish stout on the way from OBK, which I cant wait to get my mits on.

With that being said, if the Cream Ale is "saveable" well, guess I will have to solider through and drink it

Keith · Post by **Keith** » Sat Oct 04, 2014 10:18 pm

Timelord. Check out Dave at everwoodavebrewshop in Hammond's plains.

Timelord_ · Post by **Timelord_** » Sat Oct 04, 2014 11:03 pm

I have actually visited Dave this summer as I was in the neighbourhood after my daughters soccer tournament, Bought some of his pilsner extract, and it was awesome. Also grabbed some Starsan and cleaner. Onsite was very reasonable, and I loved the "garage" feel

Issue for me is that he is a 40 minute drive away. As much as I want to shop local, it is cheaper, and more convenient to get it online from OBK.

Keith · Post by **Keith** » Sat Oct 04, 2014 11:05 pm

I believe Dave has shipping rates similar to obk.

Keggermeister · Post by **Keggermeister** » Sun Oct 05, 2014 9:22 am

I would chuck it. In food, particularly meat curing blue mold is not safe. I wouldn't risk getting sick over it. Learn from this and move on to the next batch.

Post by **chalmers** » Sun Oct 05, 2014 10:13 am

Timelord_ wrote:No, the lid was not sealed, simply laid on top of the primary bucket as per the NG instructions. Sounding like this thing should be sealed up tight with an airlock.

This is my 8-9th batch, and have not had a problem with initial fermentation. I *think* that the delayed kickoff of fermentation may be the problem here. No airtight container for 7 days.......

An airlock is useful, but not strictly necessary. You can snap on the lid, then crack it open a tiny bit, enough that when the CO2 starts it can escape, but just barely. The way I do it, I can see the lid bulge slightly when things are humming, but if I press down on it, it escapes out. After the active fermentation is complete, I snap it down tight, and let it sit there to clear up (no secondary here, unless strictly necessary).

jtmwhyte · Post by **jtmwhyte** » Sun Oct 05, 2014 11:02 am

Timelord_ wrote:I have actually visited Dave this summer as I was in the neighbourhood after my daughters soccer tournament, Bought some of his pilsner extract, and it was awesome. Also grabbed some Starsan and cleaner. Onsite was very reasonable, and I loved the "garage" feel

Issue for me is that he is a 40 minute drive away. As much as I want to shop local, it is cheaper, and more convenient to get it online from OBK.

with the brewnosers discount at everwood it's certainly more affordable than OBK for most orders

Timelord_ · Post by **Timelord_** » Sun Oct 05, 2014 1:10 pm

Brewnosers discount eh? Gotta get me some of that action!

Timelord_ · Post by **Timelord_** » Sun Oct 05, 2014 1:11 pm

So after transferring to the secondary, this morning I awoke to a new 1-2" ring of Krausen, without the mold. Bubbling like crazy through the airlock. I will keep an eye on it over the next few days to see if there is further evidence of mold.

Timelord_ · Post by **Timelord_** » Sun Oct 05, 2014 8:06 pm

I didn't realize there was a discount available. Like GI joe says - knowing is half the battle

the-mailman · Post by **the-mailman** » Sun Oct 05, 2014 8:33 pm

I just discovered that too. Could have saved some money already. Just have to figure out how to get it. Seems he posts discount codes on the group buy forum for online purchases and you have to ask for access to that forum. Fingers crossed.

Timelord_ · Post by **Timelord_** » Tue Oct 07, 2014 7:32 pm

I filled out th form, so just being patient

Post by **Jimmy** » Tue Oct 07, 2014 11:18 pm

Timelord_ wrote:I filled out th form, so just being patient

You should have access

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