Capturing Wild Yeast: Kauai
 

Well, i made 12 gallons of The Pious Westvleteren 12 clone from i cant remember who.

Put 11 gallons down with #1762 and set aside a gallon, open to the air for 3 days. Its fermenting pretty good...

Sweet! I'm interested in how this turns out. Good luck, and kudos for trying something different

Cool.

Is/was it next to a window or just on the counter? I've wanted to try this but I'm too afraid. Do you plan on plating/slanting the yeast to try to isolate healthy colonies?

Next to a window that got direct trade winds.

No need to fear anything about the brewing process.

I plan, if it taste's ok, on collecting.

Hope it's turns out for you. Gotta say, I visited your lovey lsland a couple summers ago, can't wait to come back. A simply beautiful place.

Thanks for the kind words. So far the beer smells fine.

Ok, well its finished and taste's like sour fruit.

Phase 2: Start barrel Project

Going to make 25 gallons of stout, with the wild yeast, then age it. Should be a fun project.

This sounds awesome. Please let us know as soon as you know! Subscribed!

Barrel Project 2011
 

Well, going with barrels isnt always that easy, and some barrels take some work to prepare. Unfortunately our barrels have dried out and need to swell again.

First, its time to check how loose the rings got. Find a good tool and keep it forever, the monks have had this barrel wedge since the beginning. I had to go to each ring and fit it back on with a few good whacks on each side. Then we find a nice place in the brewhouse and shim. I will let this barrel swell for two weeks. There are some nice leaks but should go away fairly quickly...