First Funky beer, split batch with Bugfarm5 - Page 2

**smokinghole** · 01-06-2012, 10:42 AM

I've used ECY03, and ECY20, and ECY13 so far. I have ECY02 and another ECY20 on the way along with ECY09. I did a sour brown with my ECY20 thus far.

Coff · 01-31-2012, 03:15 PM

I took samples from both batches on January 23rd, here are my notes.

"Bugfarm 5 batch

1/25/12

1.010

Strong Phenolics on the nose, a bit citrusy complimented by some clove.

Already pretty sour! Dry leathery taste medium body but still dry. Citrusy
almost grapefruit like, no real bitterness but a touch of alcohol burn
but is not unpleasant. Coming along very nicely."

Belgian Strong w/BrettL

"1/23/12

1.011

Belgian esters on the nose, a touch of banana and clove. Not much of
the Brett but it's young.

Banana right off the bat followed by some peppery notes, no noticeable
bitterness it's slightly dry and you notice it on the back end. This
one is shaping up very nicely. Not a ton of Brett in here yet but I
expect it to come out over the next 2 months of bulk aging."

poley · 02-01-2012, 04:54 PM

I did Bugfarm V and ECY20 recently, both I made starters and pitched at 70ºF. Both took off within hours.

I waffled about making a starter, but eventually decided that the sacch was going to out-reproduce the bacteria and brett initially anyways, so it just guaranteed a faster start.

**smokinghole** · 02-01-2012, 06:45 PM

I did the opposite for my sour saison recipe. I pitched only a portion of the vial in 5gal and with heat forced the culture to get moving. The sour brown I just pitched the remainder of the vial into 7.5gal and also gave it heat. I was not worried about increased esters or low attenuation because the brett uses the esters. Also the attenuation is not an issue with brett and pedio working together.

poley · 02-01-2012, 06:47 PM

Oh, I certainly wasn't worried about esters. The yeast was mailed to me in November, and I only just got around to using it, so partly it was to make sure everything was still copacetic.

Coff · 02-02-2012, 06:10 PM

I waffled about making a starter to, I guess in hindsight it wouldnt have hurt but I think just pitching will work fine. Im not sure when I'll get around to using my ECY20 vial, if it isnt for a few months I'll probably make a starter for that.

Coff · 03-26-2012, 08:49 PM

Just a Pellicle update, activity looks to have slowed down dramatically. Up until yesterday I could see tiny bubbles shooting up pretty rapidly. I'll take a reading a taste tonight and see where it's at.

Coff · 04-03-2012, 02:55 PM

Tasting notes from last week, not sure if anyone cares but its a good place for me to document my progress.

Belgian Strong w/Brett notes
3/27/12

1.012

A nice Brett aroma, not overpowering but I get the whole horse blanket funk from the Brett L.

Belgian esters up front, a little tart even. A little of bit of alcohol
heat but its overpowered by the brett on the back of the palate. It's nice a warming.

Brilliantly clear, best clarity I've ever gotten. I thought it would
be drier bc noticeable activity has stopped but maybe it isn't done.

Bugfarm 5-American Wild ale

3/27/12

Straw yellow, not nearly as clear as the Belgo-Brett which was
brilliant. This is a bit hazy.

Smells a bit winey, I can also smell the alcohol a bit.

Sweet tart sourness, wow it's so sour but really soft in the middle
then puckering on the end.

A slight alcohol bite to it, but this is turning into a big beer. This
is coming along really nicely.

poley · 04-03-2012, 03:07 PM

Thanks for the update -- looks like you're a couple of months ahead of my batches. They're just now starting to make gross bubbles

Coff · 04-03-2012, 03:41 PM

Cool, let us know how its coming along.