Smelly Fermentor

[Beer Foundry]

I am on all grain brew #47 so no expert, but not a novice either.

I brewed my first Kellerbier at the weekend and pitched a starter of White Labs - Old Bavarian Lager Yeast WLP920 (liquid yeast, in date, kept in the fridge).

Fermentation took a day or so to get going and I can't keep the temperature down as sod's law we are having a warm spell of weather here in the UK, unusually! It's at roughly 16 deg C rather than 12 deg C.

Anyway, as I get close to the FV, I get this distinct smell which I have not experienced before, and it is definitely coming from the airlock. It isn't quite like rotten eggs, but it certainly not pleasant.

Is this what some yeasts smell like? Or is this a sure sign of an infection and I should dump the lot?

Thanks for any helkp/advice.

 

[Bubba Wade]

I'd let it finish fermenting and then sit for a few days. I've had a few unusual smells come from the fermenter, but the yeast cleaned it up with a bit of time.

 

[BarbarianBrewer]

I say let it ride. The first time I brewed a lager (an oktoberfest) I was amazed at the sulfur smell generated during fermentation. If I hadn't read on the forums to expect this, I would seriously considered dumping it.

 

[BarbarianBrewer]

Plus, the voting buttons were an awesome addition!

 

[J A]

Lager yeast produces a lot of sulfur! Ignore it!
Keep everything clean and avoid any outside air getting and you'll be fine.
I've had sulfur in the beer right up to kegging but blowing off the CO2 a few times clears it out just fine. If you're planning to bottle, you need to lager (cold-store) sufficiently before bottling so that sulfur can dissipate naturally.

 

[GFHomebrew]

+4 On taste once ferm is done. You'll be amazed that that smell dissipates over time.

 

[Nosybear]

Let it ride. Likely sulfur, as already mentioned.

 

[Beer Foundry]

I say let it ride. The first time I brewed a lager (an oktoberfest) I was amazed at the sulfur smell generated during fermentation. If I hadn't read on the forums to expect this, I would seriously considered dumping it.

Thanks @BarbarianBrewer - that's very reassuring. I had never heard this was a 'thing' before. They should warn you on the packet!! Maybe it's a warning to those who dare go near the dark side to brew a lager.

 

[Beer Foundry]

What would the brewing world do without all of you guys! You are amazing. Thank you.

 

[Tim Bulin]

Let'er roll. Drinking one right now that smelled absolutely putrid when it was working....NOW it's delicious...