Gunk At The Top..

[jbowers]

Hey guys,

First post, and first time since stopping brewing after a fairly average first batch (didnt do any research, used a style that im not really in to etc).

Anyway, my beer seems to have stopped fermenting. I'll check the FG for a few days to be sure.

My question is really about the greenish gunk which is at the top of the fermenter. There is a decent amount of this, it looks a bit like the hop pellets did when they broke up in the boil. I strained it before the fermenter but apparently some got through or I missed a bit (pretty sure I did... haha).

Anyway, I was just wondering what to do about it when bottling? Could I use a siv to strain it out? Or do I just not let the line reach the tap? I don't think its just yeast, by the way, its pretty gunky...

Cheers for any help!

 

[manticle]

Don't worry about it. Most of the hop material will drop out. Occasionally you may get a floatie or two but it will do nothing bad to the beer. Sieving it can be problematic as far as I understand (oxidation)

 

[bum]

I wouldn't stress. If it worries you - stop bottling before it gets near the tap. It is already in contact with your beer though so if it was something that would stuff it then it would have already worked its magic. Whatever it is (and it sounds to me like your hop particle call is correct) it'll settle out during conditioning.

Good luck with it.

 

[jbowers]

Ah ok. That's relieving. I'm considering racking the beer, but to do so i'd need to get the equipment for it. Thoughts? Is it worth it?

 

[manticle]

Ah ok. That's relieving. I'm considering racking the beer, but to do so i'd need to get the equipment for it. Thoughts? Is it worth it?

I rack most beers for secondary fermentation but it's only really worth it if you have a good reason. I find less sediment which in turn affects flavour.

The equipment really is just another fermenter and some hose and a second fermenter is always going to be useful anyway. You can get a siphon but it's not necessary.

 

[jbowers]

I rack most beers for secondary fermentation but it's only really worth it if you have a good reason. I find less sediment which in turn affects flavour.

The equipment really is just another fermenter and some hose and a second fermenter is always going to be useful anyway. You can get a siphon but it's not necessary.

Ok, sure. I wouldn't mind less sediment, to be honest. What is a racking cane used for? How do you transfer the beer to the secondary fermenter without using a siphon? Can you just use the tap?

 

[Adamt]

You can just use the tap, attach some sanitised, sanitary hose from the tap and have the hose exit at the bottom of your destination container (so flow is parallel to the bottom). This will minimise splashing which is not wanted at this stage of the process.

It might be a good idea to practise with some water first before doing it with a beer.

 

[boingk]

If you don't have a syphon, trot down to the local auto store and get a fuel syphoner with the little jiggler bit on one end. Very effective and clean way of syphoning, might set you back $10.

Good call to practise with water instead of beer first, even if you only use a bucket to syphon to the empty fermenter.

Cheers - boingk

 

[jbowers]

What are the advantages of syphoning rather than just using the tap? I assume you are syphoning from near the bottom of the fermenter anyway...

 

[manticle]

I use the tap. Much of a muchness except with a siphon you can minimise the sediment further because you rack off above it.