AboutAlan Ward Expertise I am a home brewer who has been brewing for ten years. 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 will be opened the Brigadoon Brewery & Brew School at the Texas Renaisance Festival. Where we offering 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 Eight years home brewing. 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
Education/Credentials Bachelors in Sports Medine from Sam Houston State University
Masters in Instructional Technology from American Intercontinental University
Question Hello my husband has and I emphasize "tried" to home brew beer for about a year. he uses an extra bathroom in the basement for his home brewery he has even bottled and sold the crap and actually made some money. However a very nasty stench permiates the house especially during the summer months I have even gone down there and have noticed a thick black gelatinous slime in the bathtub. The smell is out of this world I would like to know how to stop him before he kills sombody with ths stuff. I am conserned that some harmful molds and or bacteria miht be present in the merky mess.
Answer Brenda,
Lets start with the basics. First I would have your husband check into the legality of selling his home brew. Depending on where you are located there may be some laws to be concerned with. Having said that on to the bigger issue.
The smell could be that of the hops which would be normal but only present during the actual brewing time. Some hops have a strong odor but that smell should go away quickly.
I am concerned with what you call “a thick gelatinous slime in the bathtub”. I have been brewed both indoors and outdoors. Never have I ever seen a substance that could match your example. Brewing should be done in a very sterile environment. The beer should only be exposed to the air while the batch is being brewed and then stored in an air tight container. Is he brewing it in the actual bath tub? That could lead to major health issues.
He may also be dumping his trub into the bath tub. If that is the case have him stop using the tub and simply dump the trub into a garbage bag and through it out.
I hate to say this but you may be well advised to have concern. With out more information I would say to tell him to stop for the health reason alone. If you can send more information I may be able to figure our just what he is doing.
