You are here:

Beer/may have killed the yeast by not rinsing sanitizing solution enough?

Advertisement

Expert: - 12/9/2010


Question
Hi there - I've been using kits and the instructions for sanitizing just said to use a few drops of bleach and rinse.  My first kit came out awesome, but the second one didn't really bubble and the beer was undrinkable.  I just tried a third and again it is not bubbling and smells a little sour.  I was thinking even though I rinsed the fermenter, maybe some bleach did get into the wort and yeast mixture?  There is a layer of sediment on the bottom and I only brewed this a few hours ago.  Is it salvageable (and if so, how?) or do I throw it out and try a no-rinse sanitizer with my next kit?  We really enjoyed the first brew but it is not as much fun to spend time on this hobby and have it not work!

Answer
I personally prefer the no-rinse sanitizers.  

As to your batch you could repitch yeast and see if it takes or give it a few days and take a reading.  If the number has dropped your okay.  The sediment is dead yeast which is normal.

I always keep a package of dry yeast around incase I have problems.  If you have no activity after 48 hours take a reading.  If it has not dropped add the dry yeast.

At this point I would give it time and see what happens.  If it has wild yeast there is nothing you can do.  If the yeast died then a repitch would help.

Take a reading and send me the original and current reading.  That will tell me a lot.

Good luck

Alan

Beer

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Alan Ward

Expertise

I am a home brewer who has been brewing since 2000. For us brewing is a family activity with everyone helping in some small way. We brew mostly all grain batches, but we do some kits. I have built all of our equipment. We bottle and keg. Drop us an line, we will be glad to assist with answer or help you find where the answer is. In October 2008 we opened the Brigadoon Brewery & Brew School at the Texas Renaisance Festival. This is a unique brewpub and teaching facility located on the grounds of the Texas Renaissance Festival in Plantersville, Texas. To our knowledge we are the only functioning brewpub located on the grounds of a renaissance festival brewing using both period specific equipment and modern equipment to brew hand crafted ale and then serving it back to the public. Where we offer hands on training and live period appropriate all grain brewing through out the day. Drop by and we will be glad to answer any question you have. You can checkout the brewery at www.brigadoonbrewery.com or follow on twitter@brewschool.

Experience

Home brewing since 2000. Started with a Mr. Beer kit and worked our way up to all grain.

Former chemistry and physics teacher.

Education:
Bachelors Arts Teaching; Master Instructional Technology
Currently the Managing Member and Brewmaster for Brigadoon Brewery & Brew School.

Organizations
Master Brewers Associaiton of America Texas Craft Brewers Guild American Home Brewers Association Brewers Association

Education/Credentials
Bachelors in Sports Medine from Sam Houston State University Masters in Instructional Technology from American Intercontinental University

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.