Using fruit in lieu of brett

[bigdoug37]

Ok, I know that the subject of how to capture wild yeast has been covered extensively on this forum, but my question is a little different. I was thinking of brewing a blueberry wild ale into which I would pitch several pounds of blueberries instead of brett into secondary. Has anyone ever tried this? I think it would be a fun experiment, but I'd like a little input if there's any to get. Cheers!

 

[peterj]

I don't really understand what you're asking. You're going to put blueberries in the beer instead of brett? That doesn't make sense to me. Blueberries are a fruit, brett is a yeast. I feel like that's kind of like me saying "I'm going to put tomatoes in this soup instead of cooking it." I guess I just don't see how blueberries and brett are similar? Are you trying to get wild yeast and bacteria from the blueberries? I guess you may be able to do that, but you'll have no idea what sort of bugs will be on the blueberries (if any at all).

 

[bigdoug37]

Like I said, experiment. Yes, I want to use whatever wild yeast happens to be on the blueberries. If there's nothing on them, what harm will there be? I can still pitch brett down the road. I'm curious if anyone on here has tried this. More clear? I clearly picked up on your sarcasm.

 

[peterj]

Oh ok, that makes sense. Maybe I was just a little slow to pick that up. I've never tried anything like that myself, but like I said you could have pretty much anything on the blueberries. And not all wild bugs make pleasant flavors. It would definitely be an experimental batch like you said. I probably wouldn't try it with a full 5 gallons, but it could be worth a shot.

 

[Weezy]

Macerate the berries first, obviously.

Look for a pellicle and/or fuzzyislands to appear on the top of the beer in a few weeks. A film/pellicle is good...fuzzy islands are bad.

Keep it in the mid to low sixties if you can. It will slightly help deter bacteria vs. The wild yeast.

Good luck!

 

[thisisbeer]

Jester King I believe acquired some of their house yeast this way. I would definitely give it a shot. Read up more on how to do it though. I know there is a decent source somewhere just cant remember where to find it...

 

[bigdoug37]

Jester King I believe acquired some of their house yeast this way. I would definitely give it a shot. Read up more on how to do it though. I know there is a decent source somewhere just cant remember where to find it...

If you think of it... I kept searching the intrawebs and all I got were crickets. I'll keep looking, knowing it's out there.

 

[bigdoug37]

you could have pretty much anything on the blueberries. And not all wild bugs make pleasant flavors.

I read somewhere that brett tends to dominate if it's there, given enough time, so I think it'll be ok in that respect. I guess it comes back to whether it's present on the berries or not. Thanks for the input!

 

[bigdoug37]

https://www.homebrewersassociation.org/forum/index.php?topic=7681.0

Thanks for all your input, but it looks like I'll be sticking to buying or harvesting the bugs rather than throwing in fruit and crossing my fingers.