I brew away from home, and last weekend I has to rush away before I was completely racking from primary to secondary. I can only go back in about 10 days. As a result, my beer is now sitting in a bucket with the lid on but with no airlock (exposed to open air through the airlock's hole). It's a pale blond ale with pitched with S-04 yeast about 3 weeks ago. Besides contamination risk, what do I risk ? Oxidation ? Anything else ? Thanks in advance, Arthur
2 Answers
Your biggest problem is probably bugs; fruit flies, flies, cockroaches, etc. If possible, get someone to cover the beer and protect it from critters. Cling wrap and an elastic should be enough.
Yes, there is a chance that your beer may have become infected (especially if bugs got in). But I would taste before kegging/bottling. If it tastes fine you are possibly safe. However, consume quickly in case the infection is young.
Oxidation should not be a problem as the yeast will consume the oxygen and the CO2 will form a layer on the beer to protect it from oxygen.
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Great, thanks ! I'm going back this weekend, will taste and see from there... Hopefully no bugs found their way in. Commented Jun 24, 2016 at 9:37
My experience with this is limited. I think Palmer talks about this in "How to Brew" (a must-have, IMHO). Anyhow; aside from wild yeasts, bacteria and fungi (oh my!) getting into your fermentor, air contact can also affect the flavor of the brew.
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Thanks for the answer, I'll check Palmer! I'll wait a bit to see if someone has had more experience with this before marking as "Answered" Commented Jun 14, 2016 at 13:17
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You want fungi in your beer! But preferably the one (or more) that you pitched. :) Commented Jun 24, 2016 at 13:13