Noob mistake. How bad is it?

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EmptyH
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Joined: Friday Feb 09, 2007 10:22 am

Noob mistake. How bad is it?

Post by EmptyH »

I just started my first beer yesterday. An Octoberfest from a kit. Everything went well and I put it in primary fermentation last night about 11:30. I checked it today and I noticed a good deal of froth (which is good) but no bubbles in the airlock (which is bad). after looking at the airlock I could smell a beer-like substance but I couldn't figure out why there were no bubbles. Then I noticed that I had forgot to put the tube thing on top :oops: the cap was on but I left off the thing that makes it bubble(I don't know what its is called, the thing that goes in upside down) . I quickly sanitized the tube-thing and placed it on and it is now bubbling quite good.

My question is do you think I got an infection? How can I tell? Everything smells ok but what are the chances it is ruined?

Thanks,

MTH
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DarkFaerytale
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Post by DarkFaerytale »

Relax, no need to worry, it'll be fine, trust me :)

i'v only had one really bad infection, and believe me you'll know one when you have one, smells/tastes absolutly foul

-Phill
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EmptyH
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Post by EmptyH »

I hope so. Thanks for the quick response.
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gregb
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Post by gregb »

Nah, a vigorous ferment will push gas out of the fermenter, stopping the germs from getting in.

Cheers,
Greg
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Cortez The Killer
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Post by Cortez The Killer »

Gladwrap!
He came dancing across the water.
Cortez, Cortez. What a killer!
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rwh
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Post by rwh »

Yep, this'll be fine. With the cap on there, I don't think any insects or anything would have gotten in, no probs with oxygen during an active ferment. Remember that monks used to ferment in open-topped vessels!

I've had two infections to date (both white skin type). One of the beers was OK after racking, carefully leaving the white skin on top. The other had its body and malt-character almost completely destroyed.

Believe me, you will know if it's infected.

Like so many other things, it's time to relax and have a homebrew. ;)
w00t!
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EmptyH
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Joined: Friday Feb 09, 2007 10:22 am

Post by EmptyH »

rwh wrote:
Like so many other things, it's time to relax and have a homebrew. ;)
Sounds good, unfortunately I don't have any homebrew yet so I guess I will have to settle for something a little less interesting :?

Thanks for all of the wisdom. Looks like things should be ok.
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rwh
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Post by rwh »

EmptyH wrote:unfortunately I don't have any homebrew yet
Argh, the chicken! Noooo the egg! Aaaaaaaaaaaarh! :shock:
w00t!
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gregb
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Post by gregb »

EmptyH wrote:Sounds good, unfortunately I don't have any homebrew yet so I guess I will have to settle for something a little less interesting :?
A Coopers Longneck or two then. Coz you'll need the bottle. :wink:

Cheers,
Greg
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