Brettanomyces pellicle that won't go away

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by od_sf, Oct 31, 2013.

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  1. od_sf

    od_sf Initiate (0) Nov 2, 2010 California

    I brewed a saison almost 5 months ago. Used 3711 as the primary strain, which took it down to 1.010 after two days, then added bottle dregs of Stillwater Artisanal "Beer Table", which according to Brian at Stillwater contains 3 brettanomyces strains (Brux & Clausnii + a strain from Crooked Stave). About 2 weeks in the beer developed a nice thick white brett pellicle. Usually in my experience brett pellicles will drop after a few weeks to a couple of months, but this one is not going anywhere, it's been sitting on the beer four and a half months.

    I'm all for leaving beers alone in the primary for an extended period of time, and I hardly ever rack to secondary (I've left beers in primary for 4 months with no ill effect), but I also haven't gone this long, and I'm getting concerned about autolysis.

    I've tried very gently nudging the carboy to see if I could help the pellicle soak up some liquid and drop, but that didn't work. Should I leave the beer alone and continue to wait for the brett pellicle to drop, carefully break the pellicle to rack to secondary and continue bulk conditioning, or bottle? The beer is very dry (1.000) and tasting great. Only took one reading a couple of weeks ago, so I don't know how if the brett is still working away. I'm thinking I should bottle, but I haven't had to rack from underneath a brett pellicle before.

    Any tips appreciated, as always.
     
    #1 od_sf, Oct 31, 2013
  2. PortLargo

    PortLargo Pooh-Bah (1,831) Oct 19, 2012 Florida
    Pooh-Bah

    I've had pellicle twice . . . both times unintentional. The first time it cleared within a few days with no effort on my part. The brew finished good, I perceive some sour'ness in it, other who have tasted it have difficulty describing the taste.

    The second time was a pellicle that persisted. It formed in a glass carboy and like yours, just laid on top . . . gravity slowly worked its way down. After about two months I racked with an auto-siphon. As soon as I dipped the siphon tip the suction caused the pellicle to break up on the surface. Like Moses parting the water, the pellicle started to recede to the side of the carboy and dissolve (dissolve into what I still don't know). It appeared none was transferred (or maybe all?). The brew is aging in a keg now and taste is good (distinctive).
     
    #2 PortLargo, Oct 31, 2013
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  3. OldSock

    OldSock Maven (1,418) Apr 3, 2005 District of Columbia

    Pellicles can last for years. If the Brett has taken it down to 1.000, I don’t see a reason not to bottle. Looking at the pellicle gives you about as much information as counting airlock bubbles (a general idea of what is going on, but no specifics). Autolysis isn’t really an issue for beers with Brett, as the brewer’s yeast dies it releases fatty acids and sugars that the Brett will put to use. Lambics are traditionally aged for years in the barrel they were initially fermented in.

    Good luck!
     
    #3 OldSock, Nov 1, 2013
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  4. od_sf

    od_sf Initiate (0) Nov 2, 2010 California

    Thanks much, exactly the info I was looking for!
     
    #4 od_sf, Nov 1, 2013
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