Howto: Capture Wild Yeast - Page 5

peck · 03-05-2009, 07:42 PM

I've tried to do the open air spontaneous fermentation thing several times and my results have always been dire. So dire in fact, that I refused to even taste the result. Of course, I lived in the middle of a large city at the time and had two huge dogs and two cats. So, yeah, unsurprising. I would like to try it again though. I wonder what kind of results I would get from a juniper and pinon forest? I would be willing to bet that there is several types of yeast which live on juniper berries.

ericd · 03-06-2009, 05:44 PM

Being in a relationship with someone who has animals I would say it's definately them harboring the smelly, unsavory critters. Thankfully we haven't moved in together. Have you tried it out in open air? That would probably work better, but you'll get "big city" terrior out of it.

Oh, and did you know juniper berries aren't berries at all but a pine cone that's tried to keep up with the cool kids by fusing together to look like a berry? This is a classic example of vegitative peer pressure.

KingBrianI · 03-06-2009, 05:53 PM

Well when I brewed my British Special Dark a few weeks ago I took a rather large hydrometer sample and instead of drinking it like usual, I left it in a glass in the kitchen uncovered. The next day I put aluminum foil over the top and like that it has been since. In a couple days, it had developed a bit of what looked like yeast around the edges on the top but when I smelled it, it had quite a funk. The ring of gunk has since given way to what appears to be a small kreuzen and the smell has become strongly belgian. It's all very exciting.

ericd · 03-06-2009, 05:55 PM

That's really cool!

peck · 03-06-2009, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericd

Being in a relationship with someone who has animals I would say it's definately them harboring the smelly, unsavory critters. Thankfully we haven't moved in together. Have you tried it out in open air? That would probably work better, but you'll get "big city" terrior out of it.

Oh, and did you know juniper berries aren't berries at all but a pine cone that's tried to keep up with the cool kids by fusing together to look like a berry? This is a classic example of vegitative peer pressure.

I didn't know that about the juniper berries. I'd still be willing bet that yeast live on them though. Well not too much money...

Anyway, I am going to try another open air fermentation but I'm going to do it away from the city.

**Schlenkerla** · 03-06-2009, 07:20 PM

It starting to get warm here in Iowa. Today is a little breezy might be good day to wing it. I'm gonna use my AGAR method where I can watch surface growth in a controlled environment.

I'm gonna take a shot at becoming a Yeast Hunter.

KingBrianI · 03-06-2009, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schlenkerla

It starting to get warm here in Iowa. Today is a little breezy might be good day to wing it. I'm gonna use my AGAR method where I can watch surface growth in a controlled environment.

I'm gonna take a shot at becoming a Yeast Hunter.

Take pictures if you would. It would be cool to follow along with the progress of growth on the plates.

**Schlenkerla** · 03-06-2009, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingBrianI

Take pictures if you would. It would be cool to follow along with the progress of growth on the plates.

Funny that you stated this....

This strain will be appropriately called: Myeast-50327

My Yeast & Zip Code.

Collection Area & Method: Agar ajar on my deck. I'm keeping the lid in a zip lock so it stays clean.

Pictures

KingBrianI · 03-06-2009, 07:50 PM

That's great. I'll be looking forward to updates.

ericd · 03-07-2009, 01:15 AM

Yeah, this is really cool. What did you mix the agar with for the culture medium? Malt extract?