Old Brett Lambicus vials - should I make a starter?

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by BrewerRake, Nov 2, 2015.

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  1. BrewerRake

    BrewerRake Initiate (0) Nov 2, 2015 England

    hey guys!

    First post so here goes... I looking to brew my first sour beer soon split batching a base beer and secondary fermenting using Bret Lambicus and Lochristi blend. The vials we're given to me as they were a wee bit old. (use by September 2015) I've had various answers from my homebrew clubs about what to do when pitching these blends into secondary. Some say make a starter others say don't bother. have any of you guys had any first hand experience in this area? both these yeasts and old vials of them?

    Thanks in advance, its my first ever sour beer so any advice is welcome!

    J
     
    #1 BrewerRake, Nov 2, 2015
  2. Brew_Betty

    Brew_Betty Initiate (0) Jan 5, 2015 Wisconsin

    The yeast is about 10% viable. Making a starter would be a good idea. Since they are both brett, I'd put them both in the same starter and do a two step starter.

    Do you have a stir plate?
     
    #2 Brew_Betty, Nov 2, 2015
  3. BrewerRake

    BrewerRake Initiate (0) Nov 2, 2015 England

    No i don't, I have heard that you can swirl it every hour or so but this doesn't sound that good. I kinda wanted to keep them separate this time round to find the different flavour profiles as a learning curve. So pitching straight in wouldn't work to well??
    Thanks
    J
     
    #3 BrewerRake, Nov 2, 2015
  4. Brew_Betty

    Brew_Betty Initiate (0) Jan 5, 2015 Wisconsin

    Pitching straight might work. It might also take 4 months for you to realize it didn't work or 12 months for the beer to exhibit brett character when it could have worked in less than half the time with a fresh pitch of brett.

    If you do a starter, you can at least verify you have some viable yeast. The starter will get the yeast in a healthier state and better prepared to be pitched into beer. A non stirred brett starter with old yeast is going to take at least a few weeks to get moving and probably longer. One starter isn't going to grow much yeast in this situation. I'd do at least a two step starter.

    If you aren't experienced with brett starters and multi step brett starters, I think you would be better off just buying some fresh brett for this brew. You could try to grow the old brett and use it later.
     
    #4 Brew_Betty, Nov 2, 2015
  5. jmich24

    jmich24 Initiate (0) Jan 28, 2010 Michigan

    For me (partially because im lazy) just pitch as is with some additional commercial brett beer dregs.
     
    #5 jmich24, Nov 3, 2015
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