Beer Forum

I've just began doing Starters for my beer. My first starter was two batches ago and I just tried to keg it last week and it has a sour odor. The sourness was mostly on the nose, but when you drank it the hops covered most of it up. I assume it was some wild yeast which caused the sourness. Needless to say, I'm a little paranoid. I got another starter of 1056 going on Saturday night. I mixed 90g DME, Yeast nutrient & anti-foam with 900ml of water and boiled in my Erlenmyer for 15 minutes. Then covered loosely with foil and chilled in an ice bath to pitch temp. I opened the yeast and it smelled a little sour. I'm not sure if this is me being paranoid or if it should have a slight sour smell to it. I've always thought yeast smelled off and I don't remember exactly how 1056 should smell, but it usually ends up as good beer.

I pitched into the starter anyway and put it on my stir plate. I checked it last night and it still had that slight sour smell.

Should I brew tonight? Or go complain to the brew shop and get more yeast?

I vote for just brewing. Who knows what your nose is picking up.

Well, it aint happening tonight. Came home to my wife and the stray dog she picked up. Maybe tomorrow, unless anyone has anyone convinces me not to.

pitch it, probably be the best beer youve ever made

Are you sure its not a yeasty aroma as opposed to sour?