Hypothetical Question - Infected Wash

Sugar wash info and questions

Hypothetical Question - Infected Wash

Postby Marbled » Sat Aug 09, 2014 9:39 am

Has anybody got any experience with a wash becoming infected?

Whilst we will all be very thorough with our sanitation I couldn't help but wonder what would happen if a wash became infected.
As a beer brewer I'm pretty anal about cleaning the gear and (thus far) since my first beer became infected and was foul, I've always ensured cleanliness.

Would it still be workable? Would it yield a product? My reasoning being using a reflux still any bad taste can be eliminated. Or can it? (not sure I'd fancy the final results from a pot still)

Anyone got any ideas?
Last edited by Zak Griffin on Sat Aug 09, 2014 10:24 am, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: Deleted double thread
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Re: Hypothetical Question

Postby Zak Griffin » Sat Aug 09, 2014 9:47 am

Plenty of washes get infected, most of the time they clean up fine through the still :handgestures-thumbupleft:

As for yield, it depends on when the infection set in... If the wash has fermented fully/nearly fully, you'd still expect a reasonable return.
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Re: Hypothetical Question - Infected Wash

Postby OzKev » Sat Aug 09, 2014 4:45 pm

In most circumstances you will actually achieve a bitter yield with an infection, as most bacterias are happy to attenuate higher (eat more of the sugars) than the yeasts we use.

I tried to distill out an infected wash once, the one I did wasn't drinkable/enjoyable even afterwards. :crying-blue:
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equipment: 50 L boiler with 2 x 2200w elements, and voltage controller
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All Grain brewery (BIAB, 1V and a 3v)
Temp controlled fermenting

Re: Hypothetical Question - Infected Wash

Postby Brendan » Sat Aug 09, 2014 8:20 pm

In line with what the other guys have said, I think in terms of a neutral, you can clean it up nice enough.

But they always say good whiskey is only made from good beer, and I tend to agree...
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Re: Hypothetical Question - Infected Wash

Postby OzKev » Sat Aug 09, 2014 8:30 pm

OzKev wrote:In most circumstances you will actually achieve a bitter yield with an infection, as most bacterias are happy to attenuate higher (eat more of the sugars) than the yeasts we use.

I tried to distill out an infected wash once, the one I did wasn't drinkable/enjoyable even afterwards. :crying-blue:


That should have said a better yield, not bitter. :o

Also I tried it through a pot still, so maybe a full reflux would have a better chance of cleaning it up.
OzKev
 
Posts: 356
Joined: Wed Oct 30, 2013 3:54 pm
Location: SE Qld
equipment: 50 L boiler with 2 x 2200w elements, and voltage controller
- Pot still with a 2" column, 1/2" liebig, with a few ogee attachments.
- 3" Modular Boka
Still Spirit Super Reflux
Still Spirit T500

All Grain brewery (BIAB, 1V and a 3v)
Temp controlled fermenting

Re: Hypothetical Question - Infected Wash

Postby Urrazeb » Sat Aug 09, 2014 9:39 pm

Depending on when the infection set in and the type of infection the yeild can definitely be affected for better or worse

I have had some nasty infections (in my washes :laughing-rolling: ) and it really has made some great stuff.
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Re: Hypothetical Question - Infected Wash

Postby Brendan » Sat Aug 09, 2014 10:01 pm

Urrazeb wrote:I have had some nasty infections


:teasing-poke:
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Re: Hypothetical Question - Infected Wash

Postby pulsetech » Sat Aug 09, 2014 10:23 pm

:puke-huge:
Brendan wrote:
Urrazeb wrote:I have had some nasty infections

:puke-huge:
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Re: Hypothetical Question - Infected Wash

Postby Marbled » Mon Aug 11, 2014 5:21 am

Getting a better yield comes as a surprise.

I wonder if yeast can get jealous?
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Location: Norfabrissey, Qld
equipment: Bog standard T500, which is what got me into this, without it I wouldn't have bothered.


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