I need opinions on whether I should dump a batch or not. It was inadvertently contaminated with starsan solution from my blow-off container. I don't usually cold crash but decided to on this batch because I added the dry hops directly to the fermenter without bagging them as I usually do. Without thinking, I cooled the chest freezer I ferment in from 70-71 to 40 directly without gradually stepping down the temp. This pulled about a quarter gallon of the starsan solution from the blow-off container into the fermenter. The solution was half a gallon of tap water with 5-10ml of starsan added. I'm not worried about infecting the batch since its been cold and will stay that way, but I'm worried about whether there might be any potential harm from drinking some of the starsan solution (the bottle does have warnings about skin contact with the undiluted solution). What would you do?
I don't think really know. I think starsan is breaks down into yeast nutrients but I don't know the details of the process.
Don't fear the foam. If it was just StarSan in the container you should be fine. Seems a bit steep for it to pull a full quart up and into the fermenter, but even so, from a health standpoint you're fine. Beer may be a bit watered down, but it's not toxic when it's diluted to useing strength.
Thanks for the replies, I'll try a sample in a couple of days when the keg is nicely carbonated and see how it tastes. Keeping my fingers crossed!
I have accidentally racked fresh wort onto 1/2 gallon of Starsan in the past. Batch was tarter than usual and tasted a little funny but I drank all but 1/2 gallon of the bottles before I stopped consuming it. Should be fine.
i've had starsan leak/leach from the blow off into one of my plastic wide mouth fermenters. all the more reason to use glass fermenters. i dont think it had much effect on the finished product, but it may keep ale yeast (top fermenting strain) from flocculating to it's expected efficiency on the surface.
Consider it a lesson learned. I've done the exact same thing. One of my beers, it had an off flavor that I blame on the back flow. In the future, you could; not cold crash, switch to an air lock (with clean star san) before cold crashing, or cover with foil before cold crashing. I'm sure your beer will still be fine though.
