Did a starter of ringwood yesterday and I never and any krausen, although it did appear to be pretty milky/creamy which tells me there's decent activity. I'm about to pitch it here in 20 or so when my beer is done chilling, but when I took the tinfoil off the flask, dang that smells rank!
I'm not exactly sure how it's supposed to smell, i've read butterscotch, buttered popcorn etc, which I can smell, but it's more like a butterscotch mixed with puke smell. Somewhat sour smell but doesnt taste sour. I decanted some off the top and noticeably could taste the butterscotch, but by no means did it taste good. Not sure if I should pitch or not, but I've read that it's a weird one with a strange smell in a starter.
Anyone have any experience with this smell that I'm having a hard time describing?