Beer Forum

Here's the situation:
Brewed an IPA 3 weeks ago, and fermentation didn't start for almost 3 days (WLP001, juiced wort w/ O2 several times, high 50's temp). When fermentation DID take off, it went batshit and boiled vigorously for 8-9 days, blowing the airlock and redecorating the closet. Switched to a blowoff tube and blew out another quart or so of schmoo before it settled. Racked to secondary 3 days ago with a gravity of 1.016, and it tasted OK. This morning, I'm seeing several pretty white pellicles forming on the top of my beer. Am I about to enter into the realm of lambic IPA ? Any thoughts? I'm going to ride it out and see what happens, but it doesn't look good. I'm probably bagholed......

KlosterFocke wrote:I'm probably bagholed......

Curse of the Rat Pad strikes again

the hops from the IPA can cover up most small infections- If it is done fermenting (at final gravity) I say crash it and drink it!

The combination of lower temps and the alcohol will inhibit some of the possible bacteria growth.

I guess I'm saying that the question *if* this is infected is moot! In fact a little sourness might enhance the hop bitterness.

Enjoy!

Yeah, I don't think a sour IPA will be good. I'd say ride it out and see what happens but if you have a pellicle it doesn't sound good. Maybe try to rack from under the goo, crash cool it and drink it as soon as possible. Good luck.

And if ya don't wanna do that, you can send it to the disposal team.

So what happened, KlosterFocke? You bagholed on that one?

I taught a few buddies how to brew a few weeks ago using my equipment. Their batches are in my fermentors in my fermentation chest freezer. One of the batches has that white pellicle going on. I guess I'm getting lax; this is my first infection that I am aware of. It sucks it has to happen to my buddy's first batch of beer. I'm hoping I have a benign infection that will not affect flavor. I'm curious as to how your batch turned out.