What goes good with a fruit fly starter?

[felonyflats]

Tomorrow, I brew my first Saison (I am also doing a smoked porter). I was disappointed today, while checking the progress of my 2 liter starter from wyeast 3711 (French Saison) because I saw a fruit fly floating in it. I have decided NOT to use this starter for my 10 gal Saison. It is not worth the risk in my opinion, so I have begun a new starter.

However, instead of throwing it out, why not use it for something just for fun? So, What would you do with a 2L starter of Saison yeast that may or may not be infected by the fruit fly carcass? I have an extra 3 gal carboy to use, so I figured I may as well ferment SOMETHING. The starter is 2 liters and I used 6 oz of Briess CBW Pilsen Light DME.

Alright.... go!

 

[Hermit]

It's a saison. Who will notice if it goes 'off?

How did you get a fruit fly in your starter? I cover mine with a coffee filter secured with a rubber band. That lets oxygen in and keeps fruit flies out.

 

[Braufessor]

I would maybe take a second runnings off a bigger beer and pitch it in. Perhaps get a pack of D-45 or D-90 type candi syrup to add something to it. Maybe need to add a pound or two of Pilsner DME in case you need to get gravity up to 1.040-1.045 range. Low hops........ Essentially, a "smaller" saison.

A couple years ago a buddy and I made a belgian trippel. used the second runnings, plus 3lbs Pilsner DME for a 1.050 beer.... pitched saison yeast to it. The trippel sucked....... but that Saison was absolutely great. Entered it in 3 competitions and it scored 40-42 in all 3.

 

[flars]

Let it sit. Feed it a little wort each day. If no signs of infection show up you have a good starter.

 

[felonyflats]

Thanks for the quick replies! I just usually use tin foil. Lil' bugger must have crawled up in there. I think I'll go to the coffee filter method from now on. One more lesson learned.

I like the second runnings idea but I am out of DME, but the Saison will be 1064. I don't know what that puts my second runnings at, but I suspect pretty low. Any thoughts on just adding the second runnings tomorrow, but then adding some more wort/fermentables a day or two later?

 

[day_trippr]

No good can come of this...

Cheers!

 

[j1n]

Those little fukers love beer. so far this year ive had at least 3 glasses of beer where those dumb fuks did a kamikaze right into the beer.

 

[WhamFish]

Maybe do a sour mash for 2-3 days with Pilsner and wheat malt then add this in after boiling the wort. I think the biggest worry with fruit flies is acetobacter so you should do something that wouldn't make a difference if acetobacter showed up. Could make a nice sour since the saison yeast will throw some phenols, I'd maybe hunt down a source of Bret to pitch too.

 

[youreanimpulse]

We left out a glass of beer and added some soap, killed like 20 fruit flies in 2 days or something ridiculous. If it was me I'd throw some apple juice in the 3 gal and make some fly cider.

 

[passedpawn]

Maybe do a sour mash for 2-3 days with Pilsner and wheat malt then add this in after boiling the wort. I think the biggest worry with fruit flies is acetobacter so you should do something that wouldn't make a difference if acetobacter showed up. Could make a nice sour since the saison yeast will throw some phenols, I'd maybe hunt down a source of Bret to pitch too.

^^ acetobacter is the fear. Think vinegar. I think a little in a flanders red is OK, but otherwise I'd just dump the starter.

 

[insanim8er]

I understand the fear, but really I see way more paranoia surrounding this forum than there needs to be... I take all precautions necessary, and possibly to the extreme at times, but I had a fruit fly in my starter before. I sanitized a spoon and scooped it out. It did nothing... Absolutely nothing.

But next time, I hear fruit fly starters go really good with fruit fly salad.

 

[passedpawn]

I understand the fear, but really I see way more paranoia surrounding this forum than there needs to be... I take all precautions necessary, and possibly to the extreme at times, but I had a fruit fly in my starter before. I sanitized a spoon and scooped it out. It did nothing... Absolutely nothing.

But next time, I hear fruit fly starters go really good with fruit fly salad.

I based my comments on direct experiences I've read about on this forum. I wasn't making that up. Otherwise, I'd agree with you 100%.