White spots on Porter

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by bobthebrewer1208, Jan 16, 2016.

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  1. bobthebrewer1208

    bobthebrewer1208 Initiate (0) Jun 25, 2015 New Jersey

    Doing a batch of Porter using LME and steeping grains. Fermented for 2 weeks in primary fermenter, racked to secondary for another 2 weeks+ in a non-working fridge to hold temp at 61-64 degrees. At the end of the 2 weeks in the secondary, I noticed small white spots floating on the top. Took the airlock off to check the aroma and it smelled fine.

    Should I be concerned?
     
  2. nesarebad

    nesarebad Pooh-Bah (1,868) Feb 4, 2012 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    You should be concerned you are in the wrong forum :grinning: That being said I have seen a ton of weird looking crap in my fermenters. Relax!
     
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  3. scottakelly

    scottakelly Maven (1,487) May 9, 2007 Ohio

    Google the word "pellicle" and look at the images. If your white spots turn into that you have a problem. If they don't you're likely OK.
     
  4. GormBrewhouse

    GormBrewhouse Pooh-Bah (2,111) Jun 24, 2015 Vermont
    Pooh-Bah

    @bobthebrewer1208 what kellyst said and I like the pic of what I think is ginger baker.
     
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  5. scurvy311

    scurvy311 Savant (1,135) Dec 3, 2005 Louisiana

    Also Google "yeast boats in beer", these are normal.

    I stopped paying attention to what the fermenting beer looks like. At best it looks a little weird and at worst it looks like something that needs to be dumped when in fact its still perfectly fine and normal. Establish sound sanitation, brewing, and fermentation procedures combined with tasting and smelling along the way go way further than sight. I probably have not seen the last 20 beers I've brewed between kettle and the tubing going into the keg.
     
  6. inchrisin

    inchrisin Pooh-Bah (2,013) Sep 25, 2008 Indiana
    Pooh-Bah

    Welcome to the forum! Got a picture of your porter?

    You should go by taste. If it tastes good you should drink it regardless of infection. If it's infected you can just wack your gear and bottles with 1:10 bleach solution. Rinse rinse rinse, and use your equipment as you normally do.

    If it does not taste good you should be concerned. If you can't drink it you should dump it. Hit your equipment with the 1:10 and RDWHAHB.
     
  7. inchrisin

    inchrisin Pooh-Bah (2,013) Sep 25, 2008 Indiana
    Pooh-Bah

    I got this in the last few batches I did. I was thinking about posting it up, but I'm too lazy to take pics. Very unhomogeneous yeast does look funny. Even after pulled it off into a mason jar it's still not layering.
     
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