[nateo]

I was having issues with some medicinal blackberry mead from a while back. It was a split batch. One half is fine. The other had a pellicle form, and smells like rotten fruit and funk. I'm guessing it's Brett and maybe lacto. Is there any way this will age out, or should I dump it?

[tschmidlin]

If it is just brett and lacto I would give it time and see what you end up with.  It could be delicious.  They don't always smell awesome, and at least the smell is escaping instead of staying in there.

[nateo]

If I keep it, should I keep aging it in the bucket, or should I bottle it?

[tschmidlin]

I would keep it somewhere it can vent gas until the gravity stabilizes.  Bucket or carboy.

[nateo]

The gravity seems stable. It's been at 1.000 for the last few months. Should I try stirring it to blow off some of the funk?

[tschmidlin]

Oh, I didn't know it was that old.  Don't stir it, if it is stable I would rack it gently and give it a taste.

[corkybstewart]

Brett won't "age out", it will always taste like brett.  The question is really whether or not you are gonna like the end result.  I love brett beers, I know a lot of people who just think they're beers that have turned bad.

[nateo]

I've made Brett beers, from cultures. I've never used wild, accidental Brett. This mead has considerably more "funk" than I care for. Not like, clostridium dirty sock / puke funk, but closer to that end of the spectrum than the sweaty horse / fancy cheese end.

[corkybstewart]

maybe you could drop a couple of Campden tablets in it, then blend it with something non-funky.

[morticaixavier]

I've made Brett beers, from cultures. I've never used wild, accidental Brett. This mead has considerably more "funk" than I care for. Not like, clostridium dirty sock / puke funk, but closer to that end of the spectrum than the sweaty horse / fancy cheese end.

I don't mean to be critical in anyway but can I say that I think it is kind of hilarious that someone can say essentially, "at least it's not gross like dirty socks, instead it's nice! like sweaty horse!"

I actually really really like lambics and funky beers in general so