Do not take the lid off a bucket of beer that has been fermenting for a week, put your face about an inch away from the beer and deeply breath in the aroma.
Trust me on this one.
I think I hurt my nose and I got dizzy for a few seconds.
:o
CO2 Blast!!! I get the same thing when I open my chest freezer that I ferment in.
Lay on the floor of your bathroom (I was painting) while there are 15 gallons of beer fermenting in there… I about passed out
Yeah, I ferment in a chest freezer that holds 6 carboys. There have been times where there are 4 beers in primary in there and I am trying to move stuff around, so my head is in the freezer. About 30 seconds and some deep breaths and I have about fallen over and passed out. That CO2 can be mean! :o
I did the exact same thing last month. Felt really smart after that. Who would’ve thunk your brain needs oxygen?
If you don’t like the CO2 blast, definitely don’t stick your face in the blowoff tube bucket at a commercial brewery.
Yup, I learned that lesson on my 2nd batch of beer.
I think everyone had this experience. I keep repeating it though… with every batch. I just can’t help sniffing my beer!
I usually remember not to do it, but I was transferring the beer and it just looked so good! I couldn’t resist.
The sample was yummy at least.
I’d also add that this might not be too helpful for your beer mid-fermentation, if you care about keeping bugs out.
I disagree. I look forward to do this with every batch.
this may not be real good either: noticed somebody nocked the airlock off my fermenter. fortunately i check temperature everyday and it could not have been too long. hopefully not enough O2 to skunk the beer.
That wouldn't be skunking you'd be fearing - it would be the beer getting oxidized.
Skunking is a very specific reaction between UV light and isomerized alpha acids that results in the creation of mercapatan, the chemical best recognized as the smelly stuff in skunk spray.
i appreciate the correction. fortunately the oxidation is occurring in the dark, so i have that going for me.
No problem… lots of people use skunking as a catch all term for “beer going off” when it applies to a very specific set of cirumstances.
That wouldn't be "pendant" - it would be "pedant."
The word you're looking for is "pedantic" ;)
Edit: damn, I should read the whole thread before commenting 
The rule of thumb is whenever you pull a smartass grammatical move on the internet - you’ll make a grammar mistake. 
Edit: I’m a moron. And tired.
grammar, or no grammar, i am the mope who toppled the airlock. but hey, its, or it’s., or it is still a beer.