Activity of Old Lambic when transferred to fruit.

[Feurhund]

I have 30 gallons of blended lambic that is 30 months old. It tastes great and has a nice complexity and sourness.

5 days ago I added fruit to CO2 purged carboys and the pushed the lambic on top again topping with CO2. Smelled amazing, esp the mango/passion fruit blend.

I checked again tonight and no activity. I wasn't sure what to expect and have blow offs in case. I figured even though the bugs are old and much settled out, the fruit is a lot of simple sugar.

Should I be concerned, or should I add fresher brett or bugs I saved from the yeast cake?

I am in no rush and would rather get added complexity from the blend already there, but wanted to hear opinions if this lag is bad for some reason. Thank you in advance for your help.View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1425703228.251486.jpgView attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1425703249.578959.jpgView attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1425703268.722592.jpg

 

[MichaelsBrewing]

I've actually just done the same thing. I have always pitched a new starter or fermented with a clean yeast. Im thinking it should be fine but I'm eager to hear others weight in...

Good luck at any rate!

 

[Feurhund]

I should add that I'm in Boston and my basement is about 60-62F right now.

I am letting it go and will report back.

 

[Calder]

Leave it alone. The alcohol will protect the beer ... and you flushed with CO2.

You want the bugs to work on the sugars, which will happen slowly. The lack of activity tells you the sacc has gone, which is good. You don't need the blow-offs.

 

[Feurhund]

Thanks Calder.

I certainly lack the relax gene and overthink every aspect of the process with all my beers and having nearly 3 years invested in these makes it worse.

This second ferment should create a lot of character if the Sacc is gone and I am really excited to taste what the different fruits bring to the party.

 

[dougdecinces]

I've always had my sours take off again when adding fruit, but it usually takes a few days to a couple weeks. I purge my carboys with CO2 as well, so I don't worry about it.

 

[sweetcell]

took 8 days for my kriek to take off again. brett is going to do either most or all of the fermentation, and they're slow. the cool basement is likely to slow things event more. don't worry, the bugs know what to do

 

[MileHighBrewer]

My raspberry/cherry lambic, and my peach blonde sour took off very quickly, and a bit violently with the peach, BUT, that was in the low 70s. Seeing little to no activity under 65 wouldn't bother me a bit.

 

[Feurhund]

Thanks for the experiences.

There are the nice permabubbles of a pellicle forming on each and I am sure they are hard at work.

I will continue to report back.

 

[fermentology]

I've never added fresh bugs after adding fruit. One batch was 20 months old when I added fruit. It took a couple of days for any noticeable activity but when it did get going it was a low slow fermentation. Just give it some time, they just may need to wake up again.

 

[j1n]

Damn... if i lived near you i would be your best friend.... but then it wouldnt work out cause id drink all your beer and you would hate me.

 

[Feurhund]

All is well! They are all gently thumping along. Especially the blueberry.

The smell is amazing funky fruit salad. Can't wait to get these on draft and in bottles.View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1426439986.588248.jpg

 

[Feurhund]

Leave it alone. The alcohol will protect the beer ... and you flushed with CO2.



You want the bugs to work on the sugars, which will happen slowly. The lack of activity tells you the sacc has gone, which is good. You don't need the blow-offs.

Glad I kept the Blowoffs! I would be shooting blueberries at the ceiling!
View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1426558180.054932.jpg

 

[MeanDeuce]

Update?

How did these turn out, especially curious of the blueberry one.

 

[505-Brewer]

Glad I kept the Blowoffs! I would be shooting blueberries at the ceiling!
View attachment 264263

No worries. Cans of paint ready and waiting in the background.......

 

[MeanDeuce]

View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1493902673.538727.jpg

Definitely glad I have a blowoff tube on the blueberries as well!