Bootleg Biology Funk Weapon #2

[plazola86]

My starters never have a thick white head while the stir bar is spinning, I think the constant spinning just keeps things moving and never lets the krausen form like it does in the fermenter. I could tell the yeast is working with all the little CO2 bubbles moving while on the stir plate though.

 

[cegan09]

For me it's always been yeast dependent. I've had large krausens form on the stir plate. Some larger than others but usually it's something that completely covers the top. I'm just trying to lean what this brett strain usually does. It's very clearly alive, just didn't know if it tended to build less krausen than i'm used to with some sacc strains.

I have the stir plate on it's lowest setting per the article linked on the first page. so it's not pulling anything more than a dimple on the surface.

 

[plazola86]

Sour fermentation update:

4/30 - Pitched Yeast fermenter set to 72.
5/1 A.M- Nice white krausen bubbling away
5/1 P.M - Krausen dropped but still very active. Bubbling fast and I could actually see the movement in the wort.
5/2 - No krausen, no bubbling, no visual activity.

I haven't taken a gravity reading but damn that was fast!

 

[505-Brewer]

Sour fermentation update:

4/30 - Pitched Yeast fermenter set to 72.
5/1 A.M- Nice white krausen bubbling away
5/1 P.M - Krausen dropped but still very active. Bubbling fast and I could actually see the movement in the wort.
5/2 - No krausen, no bubbling, no visual activity.

I haven't taken a gravity reading but damn that was fast!

Low pH makes it hard to support a krausen (and a head on the beer) is the airlock still cruising along? I would think its still going.
What was the OG? Kettle sour w/ pedio not lacto - living large!

 

[plazola86]

Low pH makes it hard to support a krausen (and a head on the beer) is the airlock still cruising along? I would think its still going.
What was the OG? Kettle sour w/ pedio not lacto - living large!

O.G was 1.052. No activity in the airlock either. I saved a lot slurry from my last batch AND made a starter for this one. Made sure I pitched a good amount this time around! I also set my fermentation temp to 72 this time. I'll take a gravity reading today to see where its at. Had to go with the sour weapon pedio when I ordered funk weapon!

 

[user 204491]

Off topic, but I've used the Sour Weapon before as well. It's pretty good, definitely sours quickly, but for what it's worth I didn't notice anything different than just using Lacto Plantarum. Not worth the extra cost and hassle of making a starter for me for these types of beers, so I'll just be sticking with the Swanson's pro-biotic pills.

 

[plazola86]

Off topic, but I've used the Sour Weapon before as well. It's pretty good, definitely sours quickly, but for what it's worth I didn't notice anything different than just using Lacto Plantarum. Not worth the extra cost and hassle of making a starter for me for these types of beers, so I'll just be sticking with the Swanson's pro-biotic pills.

I've been reading on kettle sours with pro-biotics. That's probably my next sour method. Do the pills take a little longer to sour? I liked the pedio because it got it down in 24 hours. I don't know if the wife would be to happy with my set up being in the kitchen for a couple days!

 

[user 204491]

So the single time I used the Sour Weapon it went from a pH of 5.5 > 3.45 in 36 hours.

Using L. Plantarum (I use the Swanson's Inner Bowel Support capsule) I get about the same results.

Quickly scanning through things it looks like the quickest I've ever been done with L. Plantarum was 24 hours and the longest was 48.

That was after doing a 2L starter of the Pedio vs. just chucking 6 of the pills straight in every time.

I'd rather save the hassle of dealing with a starter days before brew day, plus save all the money on the cost of the pills (seriously, it's $10 for 60 pills, and using 1 per gallon is actually over kill) than worry about something maybe taking 12 hours longer.

By the way, why are you kettle souring? Just do a fermenter sour, skip the boil, and save even more effort and time!!!

 

[redllama]

I've always used OYL 605 for my kettle sours and I can get down to the mid 3.6's in 18-20 hours. I've never done a starter with it, even using just one packet on 10 gallon batches. Works great and leaves a little lemon/citrus flavor in my opinion

 

[plazola86]

Sour update - gravity is at 1.017. On track for a two week turn over

 

[user 204491]

Yeah, when I used L. Plantarum and the fast souring Pedio they were also both down in the 3.6 range at that 18-20 hour range. I'm usually down to about 3.4 - 3.45 around 24, with the single time I used the Pedio that took to 36.

I'm sure it matters if you're maintaining certain temps for certain strains. I don't hold temp. I just heat the wort to 180 after I mash, cool down to 100, drain to fermenter, pitch the Lacto (or Pedio), and then stick it in my fermentation chamber, which is a chest freezer, but everything is turned off. It usually drops to about 85 or so over the time it sours.

Once it reaches 3.4 or so I kick in the fermentation chamber, and cool it down to 68 to pitch my Sacch.

Really though the pills are so cheap and effortless that I couldn't justify doing it any other way. It comes out to about 85 cents per 5 gallon batch.

That's compared to $8-12 for a package of the OYL-605 or $10 for the sour weapon.

 

[505-Brewer]

"NEIPA-ish" is smelling amazing. Tons of hops yes but it smells way better than the LA3 portion.

Anyone use this in a dark beer yet?

 

[plazola86]

Kegged the sour yesterday. Gravity didn't move from a week before it was still at 1.017, a little higher than I wanted it but still tasted good out of the fermenter. Burst carbing now, I'll post pictures tomorrow. Cant wait to drink this one.

 

[plazola86]

First kettle sour fermented with FW#2. Ended at 1.017 FG. Dry hoped with Belma and added hibiscus the day before kegging.
View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1494703404.122072.jpg

 

[cegan09]

wow that looks good.


My FW#2 IPA is bubbling away. I did not build up enough of a starter apparently, because it took a long time to get going. Lesson learned, next time I'll build up more.

 

[plazola86]

wow that looks good.


My FW#2 IPA is bubbling away. I did not build up enough of a starter apparently, because it took a long time to get going. Lesson learned, next time I'll build up more.

How long did it take to take off? My first time using the yeast took three days, I'm sure you'll still be fine. This yeast is a main stay in my bank now!

 

[cegan09]

It took 4-5 days to take off. Checked it last night and i'm down to 1.018. I'll give it another week, and probably drop in my dry hops mid next week before going to keg. Taste is pretty good even without the dry hop, though it does need time to finish cleaning up.

 

[Rob2010SS]

Hey guys. Been trying to find some info on funk weapon 3 as i just ordered that one but can only find info on funk weapon 2. Do you guys think a neipa grain bill will work just as well with funk weapon 3?

View attachment 1509409089376.jpg

 

[plazola86]

Hey guys. Been trying to find some info on funk weapon 3 as i just ordered that one but can only find info on funk weapon 2. Do you guys think a neipa grain bill will work just as well with funk weapon 3?

I think it will work just as good, might just have a little more funk than #2. Just make a starter at least 3 days ahead and ferment at higher than regular temps. Let us know how it comes out!

 

[Rob2010SS]

What's an easy way to make a starter without a flask and stir plate?

 

[Rob2010SS]

Here's the recipe I'm thinking of doing with the funk weapon 3....

Fermentables
Amount Fermentable PPG °L Bill %
10.04 lb United Kingdom - Golden Promise 37 3 79.6%
2.58 lb Flaked Oats 33 2.2 20.4%
12.62 lb Total

Hops
Amount Variety Type AA Use Time IBU
0.75 oz Warrior Pellet 16 First Wort 42.51
1 oz Galaxy Pellet 14.25 Aroma 0 min
1 oz Mosaic Pellet 12.5 Aroma 0 min
1 oz Amarillo Pellet 8.6 Aroma 0 min
1 oz Galaxy Pellet 14.25 Whirlpool at 160 °F 30 min 19.41
1 oz Mosaic Pellet 12.5 Whirlpool at 160 °F 30 min 17.02
1 oz Amarillo Pellet 8.6 Whirlpool at 160 °F 30 min 11.71
1.5 oz Galaxy Pellet 14.25 Dry Hop 2 days into ferm
0.75 oz Mosaic Pellet 12.5 Dry Hop 2 days into ferm
0.75 oz Amarillo Pellet 8.6 Dry Hop 2 days into ferm
1.5 oz Galaxy Pellet 14.25 Dry Hop 10 days after pitch
0.75 oz Mosaic Pellet 12.5 Dry Hop 10 days after pitch
0.75 oz Amarillo Pellet 8.6 Dry Hop 10 days after pitch

 

[plazola86]

What's an easy way to make a starter without a flask and stir plate?

Just use a sanitized mason jar and cover the top with aluminum foil. Put it on a kitchen counter and give it a swirl every time you pass by it.

 

[505-Brewer]

Just use a sanitized mason jar and cover the top with aluminum foil. Put it on a kitchen counter and give it a swirl every time you pass by it.

Growlers work well too. I often use 1 gal jugs w a 2-3 L starter when my Erlenmeyers are taken.

 

[radwizard]

You can use a mason jar and shake it, or a smaller growler. I'm doing a NEIPA bill for one of mine as well. I'm probably going to do a lower OG then a typical IPA.
I have messaged Bootleg via Facebook, and he was very quick and helpful in his reply. I'd recommend sending him a message with questions about pitch rate, and how to approach the starter. Just tell him your OG and volume. Always nice get some insight from the source, and that is the great thing about ordering yeast from smaller operations.

 

[mintyice]

Just kegged a saison fermented with 3724 and funk weapon #2. Still carbing, but initial results are goooood!

 

[SanPancho]

anybody have some of the FW2 they would be willing to ship? bootleg never seems to have #2 in stock, have asked to be notified, never happens. cant find a homebrew shop to sell and ship for less than $30. insane.

happy to cough up some dough. but not 30 bucks. thats crazy. shipping costs, little something for the effort, no problem. even trade for some other goodies. whatever works.

 

[redllama]

anybody have some of the FW2 they would be willing to ship? bootleg never seems to have #2 in stock, have asked to be notified, never happens. cant find a homebrew shop to sell and ship for less than $30. insane.

happy to cough up some dough. but not 30 bucks. thats crazy. shipping costs, little something for the effort, no problem. even trade for some other goodies. whatever works.

They typically do direct sales once a quarter, usually open for "presale" for a week or so and then they are shipped out later that month. I think they just did one recently so it will be mid summer (I believe it was late July last year) before the next round.

 

[SanPancho]

yeah, i asked about that, and thought they had put me on whatever list that is. no luck. didnt catch the prior release either, so ive been SOL for a while.

i managed to get it once over a year ago, worked great on a brut ipa, was going to use it on a hoppy wheat, then saw this thread-- hadnt thought of using it in neipa. but im too stubborn to drop 30 on a homebrew vial. just seems ridiculous.

so there it is. anybody who has some to share, name your price.

 

[plazola86]

@SanPancho I got you. DM your address, shipping shouldn't be that bad. Maybe we could just trade some home brew or commercial brew and call it even.

 

[SanPancho]

@plazola86 just wanted to bug you again, see if you had some of the weapon#2.