How long can a mash sit?
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How long can a mash sit?
How long can a mash sit w/o being distilled? I have a bourbon mash which I cooked Jan. 8 which I have not stripped yet. I strain out the grain and meant to strip earlier but yada yada yada life got in the way. It now has a white film on top and a distinctly non-beer smell. In my research on the forum I did find an answer for a wash but not a mash. Believe me when I say I appreciate any and all advice.
Re: How long can a mash sit?
Haven't done AG, but I am assuming that is what you have there. Did you pitch any yeast? Is it in a open container? Did you notice any fermentation taking place at all? I know that some folks here use natural ambient yeast to start their fermentation , but I am not sure what you have there? It does sound like it has spoiled but hard to tell. I am sure someone else will come along soon and let you know.
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Re: How long can a mash sit?
Sorry I did not add any extra info Beelah. This AG mash is fully fermented and was ready to run quite some time ago, I just didn't get a chance to run it when I wanted to.
Re: How long can a mash sit?
yes sound infected,but run it anyway,,leaving a AG sit to long is not a good idea as you found out. it has not been sterilized as some others have,and grain can harbor bacteria.
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Re: How long can a mash sit?
Thanks Dnderhead. I really appreciate your advice and will post how it turns out.
Re: How long can a mash sit?
I get that white film on my AG washes sometimes after only a couple a days, to date it has never been a problem. If ya keep your carboys clean and capped, even when empty you'll reduce a lot of potential problems. I have often let my mashes set for up to three weeks before I can strip and, knock on wood, haven't had any problems.
Big R
Big R
"Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves." William Pitt
Re: How long can a mash sit?
Whats the ABV of the mash? You don't find many bacteria/bugs that will tolerate much above 6-8%. I mean if you leave it to the open air it will go bad but if you have it in a bucket or other semi sealed container with an airlock you should be fine for months. Beers have hops in them and that helps preserve the beer.
I have had mead (honey) sit for over a year with no issue at all.
I have had mead (honey) sit for over a year with no issue at all.
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Re: How long can a mash sit?
I'm running it right now so I should have some "experience" very soon.
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Re: How long can a mash sit?
It could be some bug but dont worry, all your sugar was eatin some time ago.
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Re: How long can a mash sit?
The verdict is in and the outcome was less than impressive. I ran this as a stripping run and the alcohol has a distinct "thinner" flavor. Both the volume and ABV were less than expected as well. I will not add this to the bourbon cache being saved for a spirit run. I'm not sure what to do with it but I'm not going to drink it. Lesson of the day: don't let the wash sit too long (weeks) if you can help it.
Re: How long can a mash sit?
I had a similar "problem" on my last run
But since all my fermenters sit inside a fridge with a temp controller, when it was ready and I noticed I couldn't run it for the next 15 days, I set the temp to 36F and let it sit there.
But since all my fermenters sit inside a fridge with a temp controller, when it was ready and I noticed I couldn't run it for the next 15 days, I set the temp to 36F and let it sit there.
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Re: How long can a mash sit?
What yeast did you use and what % abv. Yeasts can consume alcohol but not that much.Steep-n-Rocky wrote:How long can a mash sit w/o being distilled? I have a bourbon mash which I cooked Jan. 8 which I have not stripped yet. I strain out the grain and meant to strip earlier but yada yada yada life got in the way. It now has a white film on top and a distinctly non-beer smell. In my research on the forum I did find an answer for a wash but not a mash. Believe me when I say I appreciate any and all advice.
Re: How long can a mash sit?
"Yeasts can consume alcohol but not that much."
yeast wont "consume" alcohol ,alcohol is toxic to yeast.thats why you have off flavors,stalled ferments with hi ABV wash/mashes.
yeast wont "consume" alcohol ,alcohol is toxic to yeast.thats why you have off flavors,stalled ferments with hi ABV wash/mashes.
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Re: How long can a mash sit?
The ABV of the wash was 8.5 - 9 and the yeast was washed from a previous bourbon mash. This was not a persistent problem with the mash as it was very good up until about 4-5 days ago when it turned. I believe it was an infection but what type I do not know. Again, my lesson was not to let wash sit longer than it needs to if possible.
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Re: How long can a mash sit?
It's toxic to humans too, but we consume it. See yeast and bacteria. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcohol_dehydrogenase" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollowDnderhead wrote:"Yeasts can consume alcohol but not that much."
yeast wont "consume" alcohol ,alcohol is toxic to yeast.thats why you have off flavors,stalled ferments with hi ABV wash/mashes.
In high sugar washes above 10% abv if not enough yeast or nutrients are added they will poop out and stop eating, not all of them die from alcohol poisoning.
Last edited by King Of Hearts on Mon Jan 23, 2012 7:59 am, edited 3 times in total.
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Re: How long can a mash sit?
what yeast? Did you notice any green apple aroma? How many gererations was it? Did it check below 1.000 with the hydrometer?Steep-n-Rocky wrote:The ABV of the wash was 8.5 - 9 and the yeast was washed from a previous bourbon mash. This was not a persistent problem with the mash as it was very good up until about 4-5 days ago when it turned. I believe it was an infection but what type I do not know. Again, my lesson was not to let wash sit longer than it needs to if possible.
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Re: How long can a mash sit?
The yeast was T-58 about 3-4 generations old, the hydrometer was above 1.00 and it actually had a faint banana mixed with thinner. It carried over in the heads very strongly and not so much in the middle or toward the end. However, not knowing what it is I am trying to think of a new purpose for the distillate.
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Re: How long can a mash sit?
T58 is a Belgian yeast strain. I used it before to make a Belgian Dubble. Came out pretty good. I wouldn't use it for whiskey tho. Might try it once to see how it came out. It has a lot of different esters like that bananna or isoamyl acetate. The wash could of ran out of nutrients causing an incomplete fermentation. The previous 3 batches must have been good or you wouldn't have made a fourth.Steep-n-Rocky wrote:The yeast was T-58 about 3-4 generations old, the hydrometer was above 1.00 and it actually had a faint banana mixed with thinner. It carried over in the heads very strongly and not so much in the middle or toward the end. However, not knowing what it is I am trying to think of a new purpose for the distillate.
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Re: How long can a mash sit?
It was an experiment and I did like the t-58 "peppery" flavor (can't think of a better way to describe it). On that note, I have never used Whiskey Yeast (dry) with AG but am considering it as my neighbor does and the flavor, same grain bill I use, is pretty good. I've used Nottingham and ec-1118 and ready to try a new yeast for bourbon.
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Re: How long can a mash sit?
I used Safale 04 British Ale the batch before last with 60% flaked corn, 20% Canadian Wheat Malt and 20% distillers malt. Started @ 95 degrees. It had a light blueberry aroma. Ran it twice and added 1 stick of medium toast and charred oak. It has a butterscotch aroma and flavor, I'm adding more oak.Steep-n-Rocky wrote:It was an experiment and I did like the t-58 "peppery" flavor (can't think of a better way to describe it). On that note, I have never used Whiskey Yeast (dry) with AG but am considering it as my neighbor does and the flavor, same grain bill I use, is pretty good. I've used Nottingham and ec-1118 and ready to try a new yeast for bourbon.
Last batch same bill I used Red Star fresh cake yeast. It had a fruity aroma, draining off the grain now.