Sanitize Bottles for a Sour?

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by sherm1016, Aug 17, 2012.

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  1. sherm1016

    sherm1016 Pundit (867) Aug 10, 2009 Wisconsin

    Seems a little pointless for a beer that's already infected. FWIW, it was fermented with Wyeast Roeselare. I might have added some dregs along the way, but it's been two years, so I can't really remember. I'm pretty happy with how the beer has turned out, so I'd prefer not to screw it up at this point.

    Appreciate any thoughts.
     
  2. yinzer

    yinzer Initiate (0) Nov 24, 2006 Pennsylvania

    There are many different things that could take hold. Sanitize.
     
  3. mjryan

    mjryan Pooh-Bah (1,571) Dec 22, 2007 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah

    A beer isn't contaminated unless yeast or bacteria or something else takes up residence in said beer unintentionally. If you want to throw caution to the wind, then by all means, don't sanitize your bottles. You may well wind up with something delightful, or absolutely fowl. I prefer control in my brewing, therefore I would suggest sanitizing.
     
  4. JrGtr

    JrGtr Pooh-Bah (1,775) Apr 13, 2006 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah

    I vote yes. I'm planning on a sour very soon (probably brewing this weekend) and I plan to sanitize everything all the way down the line. Gonna need to remember about hoses and stuff after the bugs get pitched, but to the point of going into secondary is the same as usual, and that's the best time for infections.
     
  5. Homebrew42

    Homebrew42 Initiate (0) Dec 20, 2006 New York

    Your beer is "infected" only with bugs that you've chosen to add to it at this point, if you want to risk infecting it with unknowns as well then don't sanitize.
     
  6. axeman9182

    axeman9182 Initiate (0) Aug 5, 2009 New Jersey

    Chances of something going wrong if you don't sanitize > Chances of something going wrong if you do sanitize. Especially for a beer you probably had to ferment for a long time, why not take the extra 15 or so minutes and sanitize the bottles.
     
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