First Lambic

[Krazy_KZoo]

Posted this on a general techniques forum. Nobody wanted to help me. Then I saw this place with "Lambic" in the name. hoping you guys could help.

I am going to try and brew an extract Lambic for a friend of mine and had a few questions. I really have no clue what I'm doing and the more I find things are different from the last article.

I am going to try a simple recipe with lite extract, cascade, and palisade. I want to use fruit in the fermenter as well. I have read a lot of different opinions on weather or not to use a secondary. Some people seem to think that leaving the wort on the cake for the duration of fermenting is a good idea for nutrients.

I am using a WYEAST 3278 lambic blend

My questions to you guys would be:

Should I use a secondary?
IF so, how long in the primary and should the fruit be pitched to the secondary?
How long should I let it ferment? I've seen anything stating from 6months to 2 years.
What should I expect to see as the months progress?

I've tried looking up a good process but everything is different for everybody and everybody suggests something different. I was just wondering what has worked for you guys in the past.

 

[masonsjax]

This kind of cat can be successfully skinned a million ways. I think you'll have to just try a few things and see what works for you. If you have some specific characteristics you're shooting for that's one thing, but without goals, the questions are too vague.

 

[LakesideBrewing]

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f72/lambic-bos-3rd-bos-two-golds-322168/

Here is an extract recipe for a Lambic. It is also a great thread to read.

-Mike

 

[joshrosborne]

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f72/lambic-bos-3rd-bos-two-golds-322168/

Here is an extract recipe for a Lambic. It is also a great thread to read.

-Mike

Definitely this. I've had good success with this recipe.

 

[stru]

I used a very similar recipe... We'll see how it turns out!

 

[ChugachBrewing]

Seriously, all of these questions (and almost all the ones in this section of homebrewtalk) can be answered in the book "Wild Brews". If you like lambic, the $12 investment is worth it.

 

[stru]

Seriously, all of these questions (and almost all the ones in this section of homebrewtalk) can be answered in the book "Wild Brews". If you like lambic, the $12 investment is worth it.

Ordered it about a week ! I've heard nothing but good things.

 

[Owly055]

I strongly suggest that you google Mad fermenationalist lambic, which will bring up numerous articles from the Mad Fermentationalist's blog on the topic of Lambic. This guy, Michael Tonsmeire has experimented with about anything you can think of in beer, done an incredible amount of reading and research, and among other things has a bit of a passion for "wild" or sour beers including Lambic and Flanders types. He's a veritable font of information and will always answer private Email messages. His writing is fun, informative, and useful, and unlike some folks, he puts his money where his mouth is....... He writes about what he has actually done, and is doing.

http://www.themadfermentationist.com/p/contact-me.html

H.W.

 

[masonsjax]

...and has a highly anticipated book due out soon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1938469119/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[Krazy_KZoo]

Sweet. Thanks for the resources, guys. Sounds like I have a lot of research to do before I get started. This is going to be fun. I like puzzles.

 

[masonsjax]

By the way, Mike the mad fermentationist is active on this forum using the handle Oldsock. Keep an eye out for his posts, they are always helpful.