L.brevis Berliner Weisse

I had fellow brewer Justin over the other day, which gave me a chance to sneak a taste of the Berliner Weisse soured with L. brevis. At this stage Saccharomyces had been munching away for 5 days, but I had yet to pitch the Brett. 

The beer was a light straw colour and cloudy with loads of particulate matter (expected, since when I use kegs to ferment, the first draws are usually gunky stuff). Aroma was grainy but with not much in the way of any other fruity or floral characteristics. Taste was decidedly sour, a very clean, lactic sourness! There's just a very slight hint of fruity esters - pear-like. 

I'm loving this Lacto strain already! That, and the absence of major funk compared to a sour mash has finally convinced my wife that brewing Berliner Weisse isn't so bad after all. :D 

A 600ml (stirred) starter of Brett. bruxellensis was added subsequently and the keg taken out to warm up to room temp in order to hasten the secondary conditioning. It's been 3 days, but so far I haven't seen much gas production. Keeping my fingers crossed for this one, cos without the Brett character, it does come as rather flat taste-wise. Too clean, I'd even say!