National Homebrew Club Ireland

General Discussions => Brewing Communities => Belfast Homebrewers => Topic started by: mr.drankin on September 04, 2013, 12:40:57 PM

Title: Beer Fermenting Without Yeast
Post by: mr.drankin on September 04, 2013, 12:40:57 PM
So, I was suffering on Sunday morning and thought I would have a go at making a IPA with left over hops and grains and try out my double simcoe IPA (9% perfect for a cure :) )

Doing all this I forgot to make a yeast starter so put the airlock on my new beer and left it.  I made a starter last night as I think the beer was around 8-10% so I thought it would be best starting the yeast. 

I came down to pitch the yeast this morning when I noticed a bubbling noise, the beer was fermenting.  I checked the gravity and the hydrometer was down to 1.045 from around 1.070.

Is my beer ruined or what has happened. 



Title: Re: Beer Fermenting Without Yeast
Post by: Dunkel on September 04, 2013, 12:53:48 PM
Sounds like either you pitched yeast and forgot due to the hangover haze, or you just made your first Lambic.  ;)
Title: Re: Beer Fermenting Without Yeast
Post by: irish_goat on September 04, 2013, 12:54:39 PM
If the gravity is down then something is fermenting it. Have a taste but I'd say you'll be lucky to get something drinkable.

Your starter mightn't even have been much use, yeast can sometimes take 8 hours to multiply so you'd have achieved very little. Why did you wait until last night to make it?
Title: Re: Beer Fermenting Without Yeast
Post by: matthewdick23 on September 04, 2013, 02:06:07 PM
you could be onto a winner! how is it smelling? how does it taste now?

do not throw it out yet.

matthew
Title: Re: Beer Fermenting Without Yeast
Post by: mr.drankin on September 04, 2013, 04:09:20 PM
Dunkel that was the 1st thing cross my mind but im sure I didn't   ???   

Goat was working late on Monday night so didnt get a chance to make it earlier , the yeast was actually harvested from a batch I kegged, it was vigorously fermenting and had overflowed out my flask, it looked grand so I just threw it in and hoped for the best.  I'm sure it will be drinkable fingers crossed, weather or not to dry hop in incase I waste more hops is the question.  I'm sure the smell of vomit or vinegar will be a tell tale sign  :o

Matt ive made sum rash drinks in my time but rarely they get thrown out, ill bottle one for the end of the month  ;)
Title: Re: Beer Fermenting Without Yeast
Post by: TheSumOfAllBeers on September 04, 2013, 05:03:18 PM
Smell it out of the airlock.

If it is anything except yeast fermenting it, it will likely smell awful.

I have had my palate and nose trained for infection, since 2 passively chilled beers got infected before pitching time.
Title: Re: Beer Fermenting Without Yeast
Post by: mr.drankin on September 05, 2013, 09:08:17 AM
there was a head on it yesterday morning before I pitched yeast , I thought the beer smelt fine, I checked it last night and there's that lovely sour smell.  Ah well lesson learned....