Where did I go wrong?

[Ceejay]

Hey guys, I'm fairly new to this brewing scene.In the last month & half I've brewed two batches which turned out pretty nice, but the last one a Coopers Mex Cerveza which I tasted last night was undrinkable,really sour and with an off smell, ended up pouring it down the drain. Does this sound like it got infected whilst fermenting? I thought I was REALLY careful with cleanliness etc. Any suggestions gratefully appreciated,thanks.

[Lachy]

Sour taste and a foul smell sounds very much like an infection.

If you give us a rundown of your sanitising proceedure we should be able to track down any issues.

[Chris]

Yep. That's an infection all right. I'm betting you used that Coopers cleaning product.

[Ceejay]

Thanks heaps for the replies. Before making the brew I used Coopers Sanitiser(sodium percarbonate) and filled the fermenter to the brim & also stuck the spoon in as well & let it all soak overnight. Next morning I used a hand shower attachment & sprayed the container out with very hot water...thought I had things really clean...but apparently not clean enough. I've just put down a Canadian Blonde brew, so fingers crossed...it's a dry argument when the last brew all ended up down the drain. Cheers.

[Chris]

I advocate idophor, but household bleach does wonders too. Ditch the Coopers stuff IMO

[earle]

If you have had an infection you should go all out with cleaning. Pull any rubber seals and grommets out, and take the tap apart. Then sanitize everything. I pull the tap apart after every brew now.

[tazman67]

Ill take a punt... and say the tap or tap bung for possible infection...
It amazes me how many people dont properly clean and sanatise this area.

[Chris]

I replace every 5 to 10 brews. Just can't be stuffed cleaning it all the time for the sake of $3.80

I still sanitise it though.

[Iron-Haggis]

I use the Coopers sanitiser to help clean my fermenter, but then I use a no rinse sanitiser to do the actual sanitising. Never had an infection with that method.

[Ceejay]

Thanks for that Iron-Haggis, but can you tell me what a 'No rinse sanitiser' is please?

[Chris]

Ummm... try and keep your replies in the same topic. Just push the 'Reply' button.

[gregb]

Merged back into original topic.

Cheers,
Greg

[homebrewer79]

Thanks for that Iron-Haggis, but can you tell me what a 'No rinse sanitiser' is please?

No rinse sanitiser is the best way to go, basically you clean your equipment with whatever you use then give it a spray or soak in the no rinse sanitiser, you don't have to wash it off with possibly unsanitary (for brewing anyway) tap water. There are many no rinse sanitisers, iodophore (spelling?), starsan, brewshield, a bleach/vinegar/water mixture (which I don't know the correct mixtures for off by heart, which you do need to know so you don't kill the people that drink you beer). I would go for something simple ATM like iodophore (spelling again?) ,or Brewshield

[Ceejay]

Thanks for the info on sanitising Iron - Haggis, I've taken note, great help.. see ya