Infection
Term from the Brauwerkstatt brewing glossary, category “Faults and hygiene”.
Explanation
Unwanted bacteria or wild yeast in the beer. Signs are a sour or foul smell, a film on the surface or gushing. It usually comes from equipment that was not sanitised well enough after the boil.
Test your knowledge
Why should the wort be chilled quickly after the boil?
- Less risk of infection and less DMS
- To make the hops more bitter
- To produce more alcohol
Show answer
Correct: Less risk of infection and less DMS. Warm wort is an ideal breeding ground for microbes, and as long as it stays hot, DMS keeps forming.
What does “gushing” mean?
- The beer foams over violently when opened
- The beer is flat
- The glass shatters
Show answer
Correct: The beer foams over violently when opened. Causes are too much priming sugar, an infection or bottling before fermentation has finished.