stakka82
Hoptimus Prime
- Joined
- 8/6/11
- Messages
- 637
- Reaction score
- 121
Hey guys,
From time to time I read about member's brewery infection issues, and think 'thank god that's not me'.
Except this time I think it is me. ****.
I have had a lack of hop aroma in the last 5 or so brews with a slight chemical smell. Initially I thought it was the Keg King sanitiser but now I think it might be infection. I switched to starsan and the last couple of beers have actually been a lot worse.
Hard to describe, but an old boot/slight chemical smell, and the worst one was basically undrinkable (keghopped the bejesus out of it and fed it to drunk mates at a party though, waste not, want not) but they have all exhibited similar characteristics. Beers with heavy late hopping and heavy dry hopping have about 10% the aroma they should, with the aforementioned smell. That worst one had the same taste as the smell in droves... and lack of malt/hop taste too.
I remember reading some infections strip hop aroma so after eliminating my sanitiser as the issue I figure it must be infection. The only other thing I can think of is that someone (can't remember who) recently posted that they had a drop of stale beer in a gas line that was fouling all their beers and it might be that, although I think I can taste a slight version of the issue in the fermenter (might be, not sure, could be dreaming).
I have had 40 odd AGs prior to this without an issue. Generally I think my sanitation is pretty good. I am honestly pulling my hair out now, and the next step will be to go to Grain and Grape tomorrow and buy a new fermenter, gas and beer lines, transfer hose, and disassemble keezer and sanitise everything.
Thoughts on what it could be?
Should I bother trying nuke my other 3 fermenters? Has anyone actually successfully cleared a chronic brewery infection? I don't want to run the risk of reinfecting new stuff I buy tomorrow.
Also, is bleach ok to use on stainless? Kegs taps etc.
Thanks.
From time to time I read about member's brewery infection issues, and think 'thank god that's not me'.
Except this time I think it is me. ****.
I have had a lack of hop aroma in the last 5 or so brews with a slight chemical smell. Initially I thought it was the Keg King sanitiser but now I think it might be infection. I switched to starsan and the last couple of beers have actually been a lot worse.
Hard to describe, but an old boot/slight chemical smell, and the worst one was basically undrinkable (keghopped the bejesus out of it and fed it to drunk mates at a party though, waste not, want not) but they have all exhibited similar characteristics. Beers with heavy late hopping and heavy dry hopping have about 10% the aroma they should, with the aforementioned smell. That worst one had the same taste as the smell in droves... and lack of malt/hop taste too.
I remember reading some infections strip hop aroma so after eliminating my sanitiser as the issue I figure it must be infection. The only other thing I can think of is that someone (can't remember who) recently posted that they had a drop of stale beer in a gas line that was fouling all their beers and it might be that, although I think I can taste a slight version of the issue in the fermenter (might be, not sure, could be dreaming).
I have had 40 odd AGs prior to this without an issue. Generally I think my sanitation is pretty good. I am honestly pulling my hair out now, and the next step will be to go to Grain and Grape tomorrow and buy a new fermenter, gas and beer lines, transfer hose, and disassemble keezer and sanitise everything.
Thoughts on what it could be?
Should I bother trying nuke my other 3 fermenters? Has anyone actually successfully cleared a chronic brewery infection? I don't want to run the risk of reinfecting new stuff I buy tomorrow.
Also, is bleach ok to use on stainless? Kegs taps etc.
Thanks.