corn flakes on top of primary fermantation

[wcilvik]

I have what looks like soggy corn flakes floating on top of my brew. I am at the end of the primary fermantation. Could someone please confirm or hopefully overturn my fears that I have an infection. And if there is any cure or do I just toss it. Thank you in advance.

[Tweek]

taste it. If it is infected that is how you will know.

I have noticed a lot of people that are worried about infection lately. When it is not obvious, like the beer just reeks then the best away is to taste it. There is nothing that can grow in beer that will kill ya. so just give it a try.

[DreamWeaver]

I agree with Tweek. I often would look into my carboy and wonder if that strange object was supposed to be in my brew. Chances are that if it fermented, it will be fine. There are a lot of reactions going on in brew. Some may push up co2 or yeast movement or whatever may make the surface of the top look uneven or strange. And if you are looking through a glass carboy, it may be deflection or reflection of light making things only look wierd. If ya look hard enough you might see Tony The Tiger puttin cornflakes in there too. Don't through it out unless it is REALLY bad. I went through the "boogie man in my brew" for a long time. I came here for some brew therapy and it has helped... :cool:

-DRWeaver-

[Krougar]

First, look up some online guides that give specific notes on problems that occur early in the brewing process. I've only had 2 batches started now and for this am no expert, but I worry so much I've read a few that were helpful (and can't find the one I remember specifically with like 5 examples of characteristics in the fermenter, sorry).

The brewer's best kit that I got has a book that still has some valuable key notes on characteristics of "odd occurences" in fermenting beer that can be related to mistakes (Home Beermaking - William Moore). The following link has a couple of early stage notes on infections, though I didn't see anything that resembled the corn flake idea and it is primarily for those who actually want to replicate some of the off tastes for whatever reason: http://www.allaboutbeer.com/homebrew/22.5-horrors.html

I think your biggest worry would be if leaving any such solids in your beer would be harmful. And I would think that racking to a 2nd fermenter, or even to bottles, would leave that behind. So unless you see this again when your bottles have conditioned, assuming it -does- taste okay now, you probably have nothing to worry about other than some keen attention to sanitization when you cook.

If someone does have a link to what I'm talking about that is more in depth I would also like to find it again for my own knowledge.

Krougar

[Stodbrew]

Personally, I think its probably just some leftover krausen that hasn't completely dissolved back into the beer. It'll be fine. I agree with Tweek, taste it and if its infected, you'll know at the first taste.

[YamahaXS]

i assume that since you find this unusual, you don't have a 3 year old in the house.

i've seen some stuff that looked worse that corn flakes and it always turns out fine.

cheers and beers.

jeff

[Tweek]

Originally posted by YamahaXS
i assume that since you find this unusual, you don't have a 3 year old in the house.

i've seen some stuff that looked worse that corn flakes and it always turns out fine.

cheers and beers.

jeff


eeewww!

[wcilvik]

thank you all for your replies. I have since racked the brew to my secondary. And did a taste test. To my surprise it was my best tasting yet {my 5th since graduating from the mr beer}.I believe that STODBREW may be correct. I looked carefully at the remnants after racking and it did not look like a mold. It looked like it may have had some hop residue. Green corn flakes.
I did raise 3-boys, and you are right I have seen some pretty amazing things. And they are still n o r m a l .
By the way. This was an attempt to clone OLD MILWAUKEE for my father, who will drink nothing else. I'm wondering if that may have been the whole opoblem? Thanks again for the replies.

[Moondoggy]

Old Milwaukee!

The damn thing should have exploded!

[O2 Mash]

Originally posted by wcilvik
thank you all for your replies. I have since racked the brew to my secondary. And did a taste test. To my surprise it was my best tasting yet {my 5th since graduating from the mr beer}.I believe that STODBREW may be correct. I looked carefully at the remnants after racking and it did not look like a mold. It looked like it may have had some hop residue. Green corn flakes.
I did raise 3-boys, and you are right I have seen some pretty amazing things. And they are still n o r m a l .
By the way. This was an attempt to clone OLD MILWAUKEE for my father, who will drink nothing else. I'm wondering if that may have been the whole opoblem? Thanks again for the replies.

Old Milwaukee? No thanks, I'd rather eat Moldy Cornflakes......come to think of it, I'd rather shave my head with a cheese grater. BTW, this is coming from a Milwaukeean!!
Tell your Father Ya Hey Der!:D