I fear an infection

[new 2 homebrew]

Oh dear, im pretty sure that my John Bull Lager kit is infected, about 4 days ago the hydro was reading at 1.008 which i was pleased about and it tasted superb, really nice. A day later when i smelt it it burned my nose ever so slightly from the f.v. but not from my pint glass. The day after the smell was the same but it tasted slightly different, like a bad alcohol/ethanol aftertaste. I just tested then and the burning was more intense, it still tastes qiute nice but the wierd aftertaste remains. There isn't a "film" on it however i just found the final nail in the coffin, the hydrometer is reading at about 0.990.

So any1 want to put me out fo my misery Or is there anyway to save it. Kind of disheartening as this is my second brew It still tastes ok so is it down the drain or into bottles? Thanks Anthony Just noticed its double posted so could somebody please delete other post or inform me how to remove it.

[Simon7]

Get it bottled and stop worrying!

And if you edit the other thread title to say 'Duplicate thread, please ignore' then nobody'll read it

[EoinMag]

The gravity sounds a bit low alright. Have you temperature adjusted it?

If it tastes alright then it should be alright, infections can't normally be harmful even if they are there, so it's down to taste, but a gravity that low does not sound good as you suspect yourself.


It doesn't sound good if the taste and smell are going south.

[new 2 homebrew]

The gravity sounds a bit low alright. Have you temperature adjusted it?

If it tastes alright then it should be alright, infections can't normally be harmful even if they are there, so it's down to taste, but a gravity that low does not sound good as you suspect yourself.


It doesn't sound good if the taste and smell are going south.

Whats temperature adjusting? All i can say is it was about 17-20c in fermentation and for the last few days about 20-22c, i have to keep back door open as the only way to lower temperature however sometimes it gets closed for an hour or two. Ye the gravity is the main thing worrying me, so will it taste better/worse after 4-6weeks bottled. Thanks, Anthony

[EoinMag]

The gravity sounds a bit low alright. Have you temperature adjusted it?

If it tastes alright then it should be alright, infections can't normally be harmful even if they are there, so it's down to taste, but a gravity that low does not sound good as you suspect yourself.


It doesn't sound good if the taste and smell are going south.

Whats temperature adjusting? All i can say is it was about 17-20c in fermentation and for the last few days about 20-22c, i have to keep back door open as the only way to lower temperature however sometimes it gets closed for an hour or two. Ye the gravity is the main thing worrying me, so will it taste better/worse after 4-6weeks bottled. Thanks, Anthony

temperature adjusted means the gravity reading, hydrometers are normally calibrated to 20c, so you need to adjust the gravity reading according to what temperature the beer is when you measure it. You can't just take a gravity reading independent from a temperature reading, you need to do both together and then adjust according to formulae or online calculators.

[neilos]

If your hydrometer is anything like mine it is really easy to read it incorrectly (not saying that you are) Mine looks like 1000 when it actually reads 1010. Maybe worth a check?
The burning nose you are getting in the FV is from the CO2, which is heavier than air, so sits on top of your brew in the FV.
I would double check the FG, then just bottle it up and forget about it for 2-3 months, then be prepared for the biggest surprise of your life!

[new 2 homebrew]

Omg, i had convinced myself that this brew was going down the drain but after reading nelios's advice i decided to check my hydro, it was cracked!! As soon as i picked it up the little weights poured out everywhere to my delight And if the burning smell is from the co2 then it should be fine if not a little strong according to the taste. Thanks v much