Need Help – Mystery Infection

[Ozwald]

I never had a problem with it, but our local welding supply shop noticed that more homebrewers were filling their tanks there so they get some sort of 'certified' gas now. Honestly I think it was just so they could charge a little more per refill.

[Effingbeer]

I know a little about gas(too easy...) The difference is that certain tanks get a higher filtration for particulates(even though they don't really need it) and some "batches" get tested for purity so they can issue a CofA and put it on the label.
Odds are pretty low that you would get impurities at any grade of CO2. It is in their best interest to produce pure clean gas in the first place.
Also, food and beverage safety regulations probably require retailers to sell certified gas when they know it is for consumption. Probably the welding guy talked to the gas guy about all the homebrewers and he got a heads up.

[maxwell]

Contaminated gas is unlikely but it does happen. There was a BN army blog post about this issue some time ago. You should also try cleaning and sanitizing a keg and putting in a gallon or so of sanitary or sterile water. Hook it up to the gas and see if it develops the same off-flavor.

[hoodie]

You should also try cleaning and sanitizing a keg and putting in a gallon or so of sanitary or sterile water. Hook it up to the gas and see if it develops the same off-flavor.

+1

[EagleDude]

you could always just decide to brew only berlinerweisse or other sour beer ... then all would be "fixed".

With the quick changes from pre-carbonation (I assume you tasted it at that point) to carbonated a few days later, it sounds like a cold side issue and I would guess that it is with your tap lines, gas line, and/or check valves. I would replace all those on one of the three taps and see if you notice an improvement. Good luck and don't give up ... figuring out this crap is frustratingly part of the fun.

[Brew Engineer]

Thanks guys, a lot of good ideas. I'll definitely bottle a few next batch, and try a version of the starter wort/water tests. Hopefully this weekend I'll get a chance to tear it all apart. Havi g a 4 year old and a 1 year old makes it hard to disappear in the basement for any amount of time!

[Ozwald]

Thanks guys, a lot of good ideas. I'll definitely bottle a few next batch, and try a version of the starter wort/water tests. Hopefully this weekend I'll get a chance to tear it all apart. Havi g a 4 year old and a 1 year old makes it hard to disappear in the basement for any amount of time!

Take em down there with you & give them a nail gun to play with. You'll be fine

[BDawg]

a car battery and a couple jumpers works, too.