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sauerkraut smells like beer

PostPosted: Sun Mar 04, 2012 10:20 pm
by Buddy
I'm new to fermenting. My DH and I make our first batch--10 l. of kraut and it turned out great. We just made a second batch, and it smells like beer. It doesn't taste bad--maybe a little tangier than I'd like, but it's crunchy. Also the brine is a little cloudy. Is this a batch gone bad? We've already eaten some and haven't died. I just wonder if we should make our way through all 10 jars, or toss. When I open the individual jars they do smell a bit like beer, and there is a bit of that taste too. Can you get drunk on kraut?

Re: sauerkraut smells like beer

PostPosted: Mon May 21, 2012 4:22 pm
by Lizbeth
I'm a first time fermenter and I have a jar that smells like beer too! I did a search and found your post. Just so you know you are not alone... :)

Re: sauerkraut smells like beer

PostPosted: Mon May 21, 2012 5:39 pm
by Tim Hall
Probably just an over-abundance of yeast in your ferments. Not really a problem, if the smell/taste doesn't bother you. Cooler temps and more salt might solve the 'problem,' if it is a problem for you.

The cloudiness is normal. It's dead microflora bodies settling out of the ferment - lots of B vitamins there.