I would guess you soaped too cool and you did not reach real trace. I would also suggest testing the "ash spots" in the soap and making sure they are not lye pockets (do the zap test). If they do not zap I am not sure what those spots are, but I have not ever seen ash speckled throughout the soap bar.
When Irena asks about "true trace" she is just asking if you know for sure you achieved trace. There is a stage that looks like trace, but is a false trace, and if you pour then your oils will separate as they are not truly homogenized. When you think you are at trace you should leave the batch sit for a bit and see if the oils begin separating or not. Since you said you kept mixing and nothing more happened, I doubt you were really at trace.
Was your beer completely denatured? Did you leave it sit for a long while or boil it to get rid of the alcohol?
There is a picture (on a sticky) on this board of the gel process, so take a look there to understand gelling. You can allow the soap to gel or you can (try to) prevent it from gelling, your choice.
To troubleshoot further we would need your recipe, the batch weight, the liquid weight etc.
_________________ Remember, it's not just that we weather the storm, but how we dance in the rain.
Tammy
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