Solera base recipe question. About to kick off a Solera project

[GJOCONNELL]

and I made my final selections on frementers (2 x 15.9 gallon Speidels...I may add a third down the line to really get the party started).

Anyway was going to go with a super simple base recipe with a 60% Pilsner/40% White Wheat malt (from morebeer which is my LHBS). I was going to use Czech Saaz hops 1 oz.

Was going to mash in @ 156 f for 90 minutes. Fly sparge then boil for 90 minutes.

Was going to do a double batch to fill up the two fermenters to about 14-15 gallons each (hopefully).

I am hoping to start with an OG of approx. 1.054-1.056.

Plan on using a WLP655 Belgian Sour Mix 1.

Thoughts?

 

[toddo97]

Why use any hops at all? I'm just starting to do solera researching and don't plan on adding anything that may inhibit souring. I was thinking about Speidels as well if I don't do a barrel so let me know how you like them

 

[radwizard]

That is almost an identical recipe to what I did on my Solera.
I used a Sanke. I racked into the Sanke from 3 different carboys to reduce the amount of yeast/trub.
I used hops as well. I always used hops unless I am using Lacto P.

 

[LakesideBrewing]

Looks great!

I have two soleras goning, one is in its third year and one in in its second. This was is real close to what I do. I'm 70% 30% in the grist and I do a turbid mash. 5ibu's aged hops.

Good luck! It's a ton of fun!!

 

[LakesideBrewing]

Oh, and dregs!! You definitely will want to add dregs!

 

[GJOCONNELL]

Oh, and dregs!! You definitely will want to add dregs!

My buddy said he has a bunch of dregs he has been storing for this very purpose.....so will use his stash as well to build something up for each vessel. Depending on how things go I may add a third 15.9 gallon spiedel to really keep a good base on tap so I can pull/blend a fair bit as I go!

 

[TandemTails]

Why use any hops at all? I'm just starting to do solera researching and don't plan on adding anything that may inhibit souring. I was thinking about Speidels as well if I don't do a barrel so let me know how you like them

My first year solera had extremely low IBUs and it was extremely sour. The next year I upped the IBUs to help inhibit the lacto slightly.

I think having some hops in there is necessary unless you really know what your culture is like. The nice thing about a solera is you can always adjust over time to get the flavor and sourness profile you want.

 

[GeoHawk]

I brewed an old stock ale I was planning to use to start a solera today. Since a solera requires a lot of aging, I upped the hops so the beer would have a longer life. Best of luck to all, this is my first time trying a solera!

 

[toddo97]

I really want to start this project in the near future. I may start another thread on this, but I can't do a barrel and was leaning towards a Speidel, but I read some reviews where people had problems with seal on it. I'd hate to have a batch turn into vinegar. I may end up doing that anyway because I want to get something larger than 5 gal if possible and don't want to spend a ton of $$. I'm guessing people usually do a barrel, carboy(s), or Speidels for soleras?

 

[GJOCONNELL]

a lot of people are using the Speidels for Soleras I got two of the 15.9 gallon ones and recently picked up a 1 bbl chronical so after primary fermentation and tasting the base batches I will we putting them all in the 1 bbl chronical where seal is not an issue (the unit is a SS Brewtech).

 

[cactusgarrett]

I just charged this bad boy, so I'll let you know how it works in 9+ months. It has a gasketed lid and I believe it held silica gel. I installed the spigot myself.

 

[TandemTails]

I just charged this bad boy, so I'll let you know how it works in 9+ months. It has a gasketed lid and I believe it held silica gel. I installed the spigot myself.

What's the brand of that container? It doesn't look like any speidel I've seen.

 

[cactusgarrett]

What's the brand of that container? It doesn't look like any speidel I've seen.

Not a speidel; just a general HDPE drum from something like US Plastics (or the like).

 

[toddo97]

a lot of people are using the Speidels for Soleras I got two of the 15.9 gallon ones and recently picked up a 1 bbl chronical so after primary fermentation and tasting the base batches I will we putting them all in the 1 bbl chronical where seal is not an issue (the unit is a SS Brewtech).

Dangit--now i want to go for a SS chronical! I'll probably start with plastic, but it's definitely something now on my <brew>bucket list.

 

[STMF]

I just charged this bad boy, so I'll let you know how it works in 9+ months. It has a gasketed lid and I believe it held silica gel. I installed the spigot myself.

How did it turn out @cactusgarrett?

 

[cactusgarrett]

Pellicle on the top layer, but that's likely from me popping the stopper to add dregs and periodic sampling via the spigot (pulling air in thru the airlock). So far, it's everything i want out of this beer with no acetic flavors at all.