sauerkraut??? dude whoever you are, u r my man... do they smell like that (fermented shit) even if they're succesful?? what other stuff have you done?? tell me more!!! shit!!!! have you tried kefir?
the smell is noticeable if it spills out of the jar (it has a good chance of doing so if you fill it up too much) and when you open it. it's not terrible but it might take awhile to get used to it and you may think it's bad (i thought i f****d up my first batch until i put it in my mouth). then if you make a real bad batch...u will know the real bad smell...
ive mostly done various veggies up until this point with various successes and failures. i haven't had kefir but i read a recipe for it. i've never tried it tho
im also sorry to hear that hundley

coincidentally i was thinking today, i want to donate my body to cannibals. maybe liek an organ donor card you can carry in your wallet? All my good pieces can be sent to those who will use them. i will give you one if i make one