![]() To clarify, the title of this blog is a play on the Afrikaans phrase, “boer maak ń plan” (farmer makes a plan), which has genuine relevance in brewing as things don’t always go according to plan. One of the biggest challenges for brewers is to figure out what to do when “Plan-A” fails. Repeatability and consistency are critical in commercial brewing, and two of the most common sources of variability are starting and ending gravities. With mashing errors aside, yeast performance is generally the culprit for terminal gravity variability. Some yeast strains are notorious for going to sleep on the job. For instance, the “Belgian Saison” yeast produced by Wyeast, which was isolated from Brasserie Du Pont in Belgium, has a renowned reputation for suffering from narcolepsy. So what can a brewer do when his yeast has gone to sleep despite numerous attempts to rouse it have failed? Throw some “funk” in it! This very situation happened to me brewing a batch of Devil's Peak Silver Tree Saison about a year ago. To make a long fermentation story short, the beer ended with a terminal gravity of 1.007, which is excessively sweet for a Saison with a target terminal gravity of 1.002 or 1.003. (I’ll save the fermentation failure analysis for the upcoming blog on fermentation). Fortunately for me, this unexpected fermentation ending was the ticket for a series of beers I was planning anyway – Belgian-style beers aged in wine barrels with various strains of Brettanomyces (archenemy of the wine industry) and “bugs” such as pediococcus and lactobacillus. Brettanomyces have the ability to ferment to very low terminal gravities and can metabolize sugars, like dextrins, that normal ale and lager yeasts cannot. While they work very slowly in fermented beer lacking of oxygen, but not alcohol, they will chip away at the excess sugars and give a beer a very interesting character that will continuously evolve over time. One of the best known beers, and one of the best beers in the world in my opinion, that possesses “Brett”character is the Belgian Trappist beer Orval. This beer is fermented first with a typical Belgian fruity strain of yeast, and then it is dry hopped and dosed with some Brett. When Orval is consumed fresh, it is a surprisingly hoppy beer with no Brett character. But when it is enjoyed a year or more down the road – cellared properly, of course – it is all about the Brett! So with this in mind, my former partner picked up two used wine barrels from Meerlust – one white and one red – and I went for it. The Saison was dosed with Brettanomyces Bruxellensis in one of the barrels and Brettanomyces Lambicus in the other. Over the next couple of months, the gravities dropped and Brett character continued to evolve. Now, about one year down the road, I reckon it’s time to bottle these beers. Hopefully “Plan-B” worked! Perhaps there is even a possibility of them being released into the market in the near future? If so, these beers would be another first for the South African craft beer industry. Either way I would be interested to see how they turned out and what consumers think as they were my first attempt at barrel aged Brett beers. I look forward to being part of other barrel aged beer projects in South Africa – stay tuned! Until then, go out and enjoy an Orval at Den Anker in the Waterfront! Prost!
36 Comments
4/7/2014 10:04:12 pm
Amazing article. I am so impressed. Could never think of such a thing is possible with it...I think you have a great knowledge especially while dealings with such subjects.
Reply
4/10/2014 11:21:15 am
Nice article, thanks for the information. It's very complete information. I will bookmark for next reference.
Reply
4/12/2014 11:24:36 pm
Instantly amazed with all the useful information that is on it. Great post, just what i was looking for and i am looking forward to reading your other posts soon!
Reply
4/26/2014 05:32:40 pm
I honestly think you would have fully sold me on the idea had you been able to back up your premis with a substantial bit more solid facts.
Reply
5/6/2014 04:45:37 pm
Likes significantly enhance the status of the respective web page and with each of the correct assortment depend; quite a few of us will most likely be interested in your account. The businesses which give these products and services, will supply you with non-automated or robotic likes and provide you with actual Instagram likes. The good subject about this is normally that they could be immediately sent for your account which signifies you do not have to attend that much. And when you're a organization, mounting your Instagram likes may be useful.
Reply
6/7/2014 01:06:52 pm
Just stumbled across your blog and was instantly amazed with all the useful information that is on it. Great post, just what i was looking for and i am looking forward to reading your other posts soon!
Reply
6/14/2014 06:00:18 am
This is too informative. i like your post. thanks for share
Reply
8/12/2014 06:22:10 pm
After read a couple of the articles on your website these few days, and I truly like your style of blogging. I tag it to my favorites internet site list and will be checking back soon. Please check out my web site also and let me know what you think.
Reply
9/17/2014 02:28:04 am
I am so impressed w/evernote so far. really pro stuff. thx folks
Reply
10/21/2014 06:00:18 pm
This unexpected fermentation ending was the ticket for a series of beers I was planning anyway – Belgian-style beers aged in wine barrels with various strains of Brettanomyces (archenemy of the wine industry) and “bugs” such as pediococcus and lactobacillus.
Reply
11/14/2014 04:17:15 pm
Pretty cool post. It’s really very nice and useful post. Thanks for sharing this with us!it’s my first visit.
Reply
2/3/2015 04:11:53 pm
This web site is great imaginative performance to know more about paper writing services. your progressive paper writing suggestions are generally inspired me. This is an extremely useful write-up. Many thanks for giving lot of valuable thoughts and we needed more to study this kind of excellent blog posts.
Reply
2/5/2015 07:43:10 pm
This is a wonderful chance to visit this kind of article,it is very useful to me .i am happy to read this blog ,very interesting and it contains many useful tips ,thank you very much for sharing this blog.
Reply
4/13/2015 05:10:38 pm
Great piece of writing, I really liked the way you highlighted some really important and significant points. Thanks so much, I appreciate your work.
Reply
8/10/2015 03:09:32 pm
This kind of Lighthouse associated post is incredibly intriguing to all or any readers. This specific create my papers content material incorporates a lot linked to precious papers creating guidelines. This specific Lighthouse article it is amazing create my papers post within this web page. Excellent
Reply
9/3/2015 10:36:35 pm
Its amazing post. I blog often and I truly appreciate your content. The article has truly peaked my interest.
Reply
12/21/2015 02:25:46 pm
Hai have a good day....
Reply
12/26/2015 11:32:31 pm
There is certainly a lot to learn about this subject. I like all of the points you've made
Reply
2/4/2016 12:06:12 am
I was pretty pleased to uncover this site. I wanted to thank you for ones time for this particularly wonderful read!! I definitely savored every little bit of it and i also have you saved to fav to look at new stuff on your website.
Reply
2/8/2016 07:23:44 pm
Terrific post however, I was wanting to know if you could write a litte more on this subject? I'd be very grateful if you could elaborate a little bit further. Thanks!
Reply
Can I just say what a relief to discover somebody who really understands what they're talking about on the web. You actually realize how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More and more people should check this out and understand this side of your story. I was surprised you are not more popular since you surely have the gift.
Reply
2/12/2016 12:27:50 pm
May I just say what a relief to uncover an individual who actually knows what they are talking about over the internet. You definitely understand how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More and more people should look at this and understand this side of the story. I was surprised you aren't more popular since you surely have the gift.
Reply
3/3/2016 04:29:54 pm
My spouse and I absolutely love your blog and find the majority of your post's to be exactly I'm looking for. Do you offer guest writers to write content available for you? I wouldn't mind producing a post or elaborating on most of the subjects you write concerning here. Again, awesome weblog!
Reply
3/24/2016 05:26:15 pm
Installment a sister presumably in 20 years today it out I don't think so as well yet in the event that this is offered I mean I want to get intense fellow yet in the event that I did think about what I need to put on weight take after my teeth not an awful thing on great cream pop loam this faces a decent any cream
Reply
3/28/2016 04:14:15 pm
I'mgonna be concentrating on anywhere between 15 to 20reps before losing it 15-20 reps fall it again 15-20 reps spirit do that a three periods then straight at the end of this on the red drops s smoking sad dam 100 reps 9 put the white wines all the way returning to the end of the selection for my packages
Reply
3/29/2016 03:55:40 pm
Relax and diet provide you with the best base for a secure exercise. Have a look at this site to get more advice on nourishment and taking healthily so you can be sure to remain secure, strong, and healthy and balanced. What Causes Bodybuilding Injuries? Many raising accidents occur over a very lengthy time as http://powerlifting-classic.com/
Reply
4/29/2016 10:50:25 pm
I must thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this site. I'm hoping to view the same high-grade blog posts by you later on as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has motivated me to get my own site now ;)
Reply
6/3/2016 08:04:33 pm
New design for New York Giants uniforms coming as soon as this year
Reply
7/29/2016 02:29:41 pm
There cant be better ways than this to create a full faculty.
Reply
8/16/2016 02:11:47 pm
Getting the things done on timely basis is the need of an hour.
Reply
3/24/2017 08:46:01 pm
Cool! It is the writing piece that i was looking for. It is well-written and contains all the info. Thanks! We are an online assignment help provider that assists student in writing college assignments. Students with assignment problem can visit our site and can get a comprehensive solution.
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
Greg CrumFrom traveling the world in search of the finest beers, to creating Devil's Peak Archives
August 2013
Categories |