I've been searching the web and have found mixed results, some citing built up proteins, and yeast, and other harmless factors. I also see that mold spores can grow on top of home-brewed beer. I just poured a SN Celebration, and to my surprise at the end of the pour I saw some big white clumps that fell to the bottle of my glass and stuck there. It doesn't seem like the typical yeast, to the point where I was really uncertain if I should drink it. After some debate I decided to just start drinking it... Hopefully it isn't mold, and if it is it won't do any harm. So my question here is, could this be mold? Can there be white mold clumps in a professional bottled beer? The other beers I've had from the case were fine. This beer doesn't smell or taste weird. Other than the pour and the bottom of my glass it seems normal. Do you guys think these white clumps that sunk and stuck to the bottom could be mold, or just some yeast/protein build up, based on some science and data? Can mold even grow in beer that isn't left out in the open?
Hmmm, mold can show up in beer but it is pretty rare. Unsanitary conditions could lead to mold. More common is yeast/protein clumps. If it looks spider like....you have mold in your beer. I've had hundreds of beers and 21 batches of home brew with no sign of any mold, knock on wood...
Mainly because this is Sierra Nevada, I'm doubting that it's mold. It isn't spider web looking, or blue or anything moldy looking. It looks almost like when milk spoils and starts to clump it. It is just some white built up clumps that sunk to the bottom of my glass.
I think it might just be built up yeast... I'll probably delete this thread soon. If I stop going on this site, you'll know what got me. edit: guess I can't delete the thread.. if it is worthy of staying up I guess it shall stay..
I really doubt it, mold is aerobic and I can guarantee there isn't enough oxygen in that bottle to let mold grow.
I noticed this in one of my bottles after I poured it into the glass. From there, I just did the 'swirl the bottle' thing for every Cele I drank after that. It tastes fine, and I can report, I am still alive.
I'll never forget early into my craft beer love a buddy and I bought a sampler pack of flying dog. My buddy cracked open one of the IPAs and he remarked he didn't know how I drank these things, I took a swig of it, pure vinegar taste. Drain poured it, and had large clumps of white and brown mold in it. Don't know that I've ever bought flying dog since then
Funny story about mold. I used to work construction. This guy, at lunch, has a bag of those powder sugar donuts. Tastykake or something. Hes shoveling them in his face. Then noticed that they are white and blue. He calls his dad, who is a legitimate doctor. He asks him should he make himself throw up or something. Dad says no youll be fine, your body will let you know. He was A-OK. So. If you accidentally consume it, you should, key word, SHOULD. Be ok. I'd just not dtink the rest. That's my opinion on that now. I just drank a Celebration tonight. Was crystal clear. Im a germaphobe big time. Cough with your mouth open next to me and i unless hell haha. But back to topic if i saw white chunks id dump it. Brown is ok. Ive had Ballantine IPA be absolutely crud. Huge peices floating around. But they were not an odd color to be in a beer. Like white. But on the other hand @ivegot3Dvision has a point. It needs to be exposed to oxygen to grow mold. So honestly. Taking the gamble is fine. Tl;dr- See above for moldy eating story. Cheers.
I've found a black substance on the cork of an older cantillon bottle that actually stained my finger but I have no idea if it was mold. Needless to say i drank it and it was one of the better beers I've had.
Bottled condition sludgies, yum. Just some leftover yeast and maybe some protein solids. For the bottles with lots of yeast, I just don't pour out the bottom 1/4 inch.
