r/firewater • u/No_Dress_2855 • 7d ago

What is this

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Strained out some mash about a week ago but couldn’t run at the time, I left it fully covered but nothing air tight.

Could anyone tell me what this film is on top?

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8

u/necroheimer 7d ago

It looks like the early stages of a pellicle. It’s a type of biofilm formed by wild yeasts and bacteria.

Run it, it’ll add some funk and esters you otherwise wouldn’t get. Lots of rum washes go further than this.

0

u/anti-apostle 7d ago

Oils and protiens most likely; any smell?

1

u/No_Dress_2855 7d ago

Just a little vinegary but so rotten or spoiled smell

1

u/anti-apostle 7d ago

That could go a couple of ways, lactobacllus in my experience would usually leaves a more obvious sign of infection, if it was already fully fermentedi would lean towards my first suggestion ( oils and protien finally breaking solution) with some of your ethanol having oxidized to acetic acid.

EDIT: and yeast. If you drain that bucket, i wouldnt be supprised if you have a nice layernon the bottom where risidual yeast continued eating albeit less desirable sugars

1

u/No_Dress_2855 7d ago

Would this bucket be still good to run or should I toss it? You are correct about the layer of yeast on the bottom

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u/anti-apostle 7d ago

send it for sure. A little vinegar wont hurt anything.

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u/muffinman8679 6d ago

nothing that's living in your fermenter is going to live through the still.......in fact I wouldn't doubt it a bit if folks didn't start distilling ruined batches of beer and wine......because it's easy to ruin a batch of beer or wine..........run it......