Beer got ropey

[brownni5]

I've had my first beer get ropey. It's a mixed ferm beer, so that's not the problem. The problems (if they are problems) are twofold: I didn't pitch a culture with any known Pediococcus, and I didn't notice it until bottling. I assume that given enough time, the Brett will clear up the ropiness in the bottle - does that sound right? Since I was in the middle of bottling when I noticed it, I'm not really out anything waiting this one out, just curious.

 

[Kickass]

Forgive my ignorance, I’ve never brewed with sour/wild strains, but can you explain ropey?

 

[bracconiere]

Forgive my ignorance, I’ve never brewed with sour/wild strains, but can you explain ropey?

glad i'm not the only one, i watched the thread just to try and find out! lol

 

[RPh_Guy]

Any beverage with wild microbes can become viscous (AKA ropey or sick beer).

This is usually attributed to the growth of Pediococcus and its production of exopolysaccharides (EPS). Other microbes can produce EPS as well.
http://www.milkthefunk.com/wiki/Pediococcus

Perhaps this beer picked up a contaminant.

Brett breaks down the EPS within a few months, so the beer texture will return to normal.

 

[jready]

I’ve seen it it kinda feels like slime or mucus which sounds horrible but really isn’t a problem other than the time it takes the Brett to clean it up. Just give it time. Box up those bottles and forget about them for a few months or longer. You will be rewarded

 

[brownni5]

I’ve seen it it kinda feels like slime or mucus which sounds horrible but really isn’t a problem other than the time it takes the Brett to clean it up. Just give it time. Box up those bottles and forget about them for a few months or longer. You will be rewarded

Spot on here. This one is special - by far my best mixed- ferm Saison. The recipe is over in the Mad Fermentationist blend thread. Really horsey on the nose, then citrusy/slight tropical with phenolics and nice tartness - more than a little tart, but not puckering sour either. Good mouthfeel, but not ropey.

So nice - I'll be enjoying this one for a while!