Infected beer?

[pjc]

Hi All, I just bottled my latest batch which I had dry hopped quite heavily with leaf hops which were all floating on top of the beer in the FV. After I finished bottling I went to clean out the FV and I noticed that there were signs of infection on the hops - small while bubbles. It was definitely not right. The beer looked and tasted ok as I was bottling. Is there any chance the beer will turn out OK or will it be for the drain?

[orlando]

Why do you say it was definitely not right? Do you have any pictures? If you do then use a picture host like Photobucket to upload, you will have to post a few more times to get them up independently but if you do it now I can reupload so they appear.

[pjc]

I didn't take a picture (and I am kicking myself now). It looked like an infection. I've dry hopped many times before and never seen white bubbles on the hops.

[BrannigansLove]

My guess is CO2 nucleating on the hops. If it looked and tasted OK whilst bottling, I wouldn't worry.

[pjc]

If it was CO2 then that would be good!... but let me rephrase my question slightly. If I assumed that it was definitely an infection is there a possibility that it could have been confined to the hops only and that the beer underneath would still be OK?

[orlando]

If it was CO2 then that would be good!... but let me rephrase my question slightly. If I assumed that it was definitely an infection is there a possibility that it could have been confined to the hops only and that the beer underneath would still be OK?

I think it could be CO2 too. Taste and smell are the best clues. Beta acid in hops can effect additional fermentation, producing something akin to your description. Dry hopping is usually a safe practice despite their lack of sterility, but they can of course help to mask other problems. Obviously time will tell, there is little you can do but package and wait.

[WalesAles]

pjc,
Please send ALL the bottles to me and I will tell you in a month`s time if they are infected or not!

WA

[bigtoe]

pjc,
Please send ALL the bottles to me and I will tell you in a month`s time if they are infected or not!

WA

trust you LOL

[pjc]

[quote="WalesAles"]pjc,
Please send ALL the bottles to me and I will tell you in a month`s time if they are infected or not!

WA[/quote]

Yep, I can do that. Postage is coming up at £328.63. Is that Ok?

[orlando]

pjc,
Please send ALL the bottles to me and I will tell you in a month`s time if they are infected or not!

WA

Yep, I can do that. Postage is coming up at £328.63. Is that Ok?

Snip.

[WalesAles]

pjc,
Please send ALL the bottles to me and I will tell you in a month`s time if they are infected or not!

WA

Yep, I can do that. Postage is coming up at £328.63. Is that Ok?

Snip.

I`ve had the Snip.
The postage price is extortionate! I sent 2 bottles to Monkeybrew yesterday and it cost £2.80, 2nd class post.
So, your postage should be £56 for your manky, yucky, infected Beer!
Send them to me, Cash on Collection!

WA

[pjc]

The post office have refused to send my manky beer under their "Poisonous, toxic liquids, solids or gases" policy. Sorry

[WalesAles]

The post office have refused to send my manky beer under their "Poisonous, toxic liquids, solids or gases" policy. Sorry

That`s Preposterous!
Tell them you are sending scented oils.
Works for me every time, no batteries, fireworks, explosives or guns in package!

WA

[orlando]

[

I`ve had the Snip.

I thought you walked a bit funny.

[Chug]

My last batch has developed a slightly medicinal/tcp taste so I think it may have been infected, it was ok at first a nice hoppy beer, but the last few bottles I have been detecting this taste. Yesterday I poured one and it had the taste, but I left it after pouring for about 15 mins and the taste had diminished to almost nothing, and it was just about drinkable, I have about 10 bottles left so maybe I'd better drink them quick before it gets any worse.