I brewed a ne ipa today and noticed a few worms on the table I had the bag of grains on. Then as I was doughing I noticed a few get mixed in. I'm not worried at all, just wondering if it's normal and acceptable. I bought it last night at the local home brew shop. Thanks
I've never in my 18 years of homebrewing observed such. Still, I wouldn't worry about it. The extra protein may help with head retention! Cheers! P.S. You might want to inform your local shop, as they might have a problem with their grain storage.
I got a sack of grain that had some little grubs in it a couple of years ago. Noticed a little bit of a drop-off in extract. Basically just used it all up and didn't store any grain in the house for a few months so they didn't have anything to eat, and it seems to have taken care of it. Alert the homebrew store, but I don't know how they'll be able to take care of it.
I haven't been so fortunate. It's not normal and acceptability is debatable. But those aren't worms . . . rather wheat weevils. They typically feast on any type grain. If you pour them into a separate unsealed container they will attempt to "climb" out and usually they'll be good riddance in an hour or so. Then your grain will only contain their larvae silently growing in the grain kernels. Here's what they look like: Q: Which one will cause the least problems? A: The one on the right . . . always pick the lesser of two weevils . . .
I couldn't be certain it was wheat weevil larvae. They were tan colored and about 3/8" long and 1/16" in diameter with no legs.
