How To Deal With Mold Growth When Brewing Beer

One of the most common concerns among first-time ‘homebrewers’ is the potential for mold growth. It’s no secret that mold thrives in hot, moist environments; therefore, it would only make sense for it to grow during your homebrew. The good news is that you can typically prevent mold from growing in your beer by following some simple steps.

Identifying Mold on Homebrewed Beer

Unless you’ve experienced it before, you might be wondering what exactly mold looks like on homebrewed beer. Well, its appearance and characteristics vary depending on the particular type of mold; however, it usually appears as a white foamy/crusty substance which develops on the surface of the beer. You may notice a small patch here and there, but the mold problem can quickly spiral out of control if left untreated. This is why it’s important for homebrewers to take the necessary action to treat and prevent mold in their beer.

Is It Safe To Drink Moldy Beer?

There’s some belief among homebrewers that moldy beer is safe and acceptable to drink. While it typically won’t cause any negative effects to your health (a few rare strains may), drinking moldy beer is not recommended. The fact is that mold will affect both the flavor and texture of your beer, reducing the beverage’s overall quality. And continuing to brew and drink moldy beer on a regular basis will only spread the mold spores. The bottom line is that while moldy beer is probably safe to drink, you should still toss it out to improve the quality of your product.

Sealing The Fermentation Vessel

One of the most common causes of mold growth in homebrewed beer is from a leak in the fermentation vessel. If the vessel isn’t 100% airtight, mold spores can — and will — find their way inside. Before fermenting your beer, perform a thorough inspection of the vessel to ensure it’s completely airtight.

Sanitize Your Equipment

Of course, proper sanitation is also a key step in preventing mold growth on your beer. If you notice any signs of mold growth, discard the batch and clean your equipment. There are several different sanitation products designed specifically for this reason. Ideally, you should clean each individual piece of equipment with a brush and sanitation product to reduce the chance of mold growth. Even if there’s mold currently present on your equipment, you should still get into the habit of cleaning and sanitizing your equipment on a regular basis.