It’s tough remembering what day it is when you make 11% beers.
Anyway. Today we are talking “whoa INFECTION”. What is that Pellicle?
Pellicles are a biofilm produced by microorganisms often seen floating on fermented beverages. They provide a barrier between the liquid and air interface. And while there are a number of theories as to why they are produced, the definitive answer has, as yet eluded us.
This is a little work-brew batch consists of some wort from a previous brewday inoculated with our house mixed culture. By taking bottle dregs of all of my favourite beers about a year ago, I made my own blend of brett and pedio focused culture.
Not all sour ferments produce a pellicle. Pellicles don’t always mean a beer is bad or good or more or less sour or oxidised. This is part of the reason why we don’t fully understand them. Brett, pedio, aceto and lacto bugs all make various pellicles. It has been suggested that pellicles (a) trap tiny amounts of oxygen, (b) inhibit exposure to oxygen, (c) are produced by UV exposure and (d) protects the culture from other microorganisms. It definitely appears specifics specific, but is not always guaranteed to form.
Anyway, one formed for us. It’s weird and cool and bubble and happy Wednesday/Tuesday.
Anyway. Today we are talking “whoa INFECTION”. What is that Pellicle?
Pellicles are a biofilm produced by microorganisms often seen floating on fermented beverages. They provide a barrier between the liquid and air interface. And while there are a number of theories as to why they are produced, the definitive answer has, as yet eluded us.
This is a little work-brew batch consists of some wort from a previous brewday inoculated with our house mixed culture. By taking bottle dregs of all of my favourite beers about a year ago, I made my own blend of brett and pedio focused culture.
Not all sour ferments produce a pellicle. Pellicles don’t always mean a beer is bad or good or more or less sour or oxidised. This is part of the reason why we don’t fully understand them. Brett, pedio, aceto and lacto bugs all make various pellicles. It has been suggested that pellicles (a) trap tiny amounts of oxygen, (b) inhibit exposure to oxygen, (c) are produced by UV exposure and (d) protects the culture from other microorganisms. It definitely appears specifics specific, but is not always guaranteed to form.
Anyway, one formed for us. It’s weird and cool and bubble and happy Wednesday/Tuesday.
