Brewing Master

Question:

I bottled my first batch of home brew about 8 days ago.  I noticed a white film on the bottom of each bottle.  Is this bad?  Do I need to start over? I was very careful cleaning and sanitizing all of the bottles and the equipment. It is an American Cream Ale. Thank You, Ken

Response:

Ken,         If you’ll accept the advice of a relative newbie into the homebrewing hobby, I’d recommend you take a long, narrow stick of some type, scoop some of that film up from the bottom of a bottle, and taste it. Write us from the hospital if it isn’t harmless after all… All kidding aside (and seriously, too!) I’m willing to bet the farm that you’re seeing yeast. They’ve had a nice meal, done a hard eight days worth of work carbonating your beer for you, and now they just want to take a nap on the bottom of your bottles. Leave them be, and both you and they will be quite satisfied with the end result. — John – "An apple a day keeps the doctor away. Not, however, if taken in suppository form." – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I bottled my first batch of home brew about 8 days ago.  I noticed a white film on the bottom of each bottle.  Is this bad?  Do I need to start over? I was very careful cleaning and sanitizing all of the bottles and the equipment. It is an American Cream Ale. Thank You, Ken

Response:

Ken, If you’ll accept the advice of a relative newbie into the homebrewing hobby, I’d recommend you take a long, narrow stick of some type, scoop some of that film up from the bottom of a bottle, and taste it. Write us from the hospital if it isn’t harmless after all… All kidding aside (and seriously, too!) I’m willing to bet the farm that you’re seeing yeast. They’ve had a nice meal, done a hard eight days worth of work carbonating your beer for you, and now they just want to take a nap on the bottom of your bottles. Leave them be, and both you and they will be quite satisfied with the end result.

[snip] That is correct.  The sediment on the bottom is the yeast dropping out after carbonation.  It’s similar to the yeast that settles out in the primary. Totally normal. However, keep an eye on the neck of the bottles if you are concerned with contamination.  If you see a ring around the neck at the liquid line, it’s a pretty good indication that some bad guys have gotten into your beer.

Response:

Thank you for the advice.  I guess I have germaphobia.  Will keep an eye on the neck. I love this group!!!!!

Response:

Another thing that might look nasty, but is quite normal, is the appearance of spots around the inside of the bottle. Yeast just love to attach themselves to any slightly rough spot on the glass. My first reaction was "ugh – infection", but now i’m used to seeing it.  I now check my bottles on about day 7 of carbonation,  give the offending bottles a quick twist and the yeast dislodges and sinks over the next day or so. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ken, If you’ll accept the advice of a relative newbie into the homebrewing hobby, I’d recommend you take a long, narrow stick of some type, scoop some of that film up from the bottom of a bottle, and taste it. Write us from the hospital if it isn’t harmless after all… All kidding aside (and seriously, too!) I’m willing to bet the farm that you’re seeing yeast. They’ve had a nice meal, done a hard eight days worth of work carbonating your beer for you, and now they just want to take a nap on the bottom of your bottles. Leave them be, and both you and they will be quite satisfied with the end result. [snip] That is correct.  The sediment on the bottom is the yeast dropping out after carbonation.  It’s similar to the yeast that settles out in the primary. Totally normal. However, keep an eye on the neck of the bottles if you are concerned with contamination.  If you see a ring around the neck at the liquid line, it’s a pretty good indication that some bad guys have gotten into your beer.

Response: