[akr71]

I have a smack pack of Wyeast 9097 Old Ale Blend which I plan to use next weekend.

Since this is a blend of different critters, do I go about making a starter in the same way?  My gut tells me yes, since the Brett character develops over time - I'm trying to build up a large, healthy colony of 'regular' yeast to get the fermentation going and as long as the Brett is there in the background, it will do its thing when the time comes.  Does that sound about right?

OG ~1.080, 6 gallons into the fermentor, assuming all goes well.

[tschmidlin]

Assuming it is just an ale strain and a brett strain, I think you'll be fine doing that.

[smoga]

For a beer that big; definitely do a starter.

I used this yeast (9097) last time it was out and it took around 3 months post fermentation for the Brett pellicle and flavor to come through. That was stored in my 60F basement; I would believe the Brett lag time would be less at a higher temp. I sent this batch straight to bottles, this yeast makes a beer to sit on and savor.   

[tschmidlin]

It might move faster if you used more smack packs instead of making a starter I assumed that was what you were really asking - starter vs. more packs?

[akr71]

It might move faster if you used more smack packs instead of making a starter I assumed that was what you were really asking - starter vs. more packs?

Somewhat - I only have 1 pack & I'm SOL until Wyeast re-releases it again (its a Private Collection strain).  My main concern was that I'd throw off the ratio of ale yeast:Brett by building a starter because the 2 strains would reproduce at different rates.

For a beer that big; definitely do a starter.

I used this yeast (9097) last time it was out and it took around 3 months post fermentation for the Brett pellicle and flavor to come through. That was stored in my 60F basement; I would believe the Brett lag time would be less at a higher temp. I sent this batch straight to bottles, this yeast makes a beer to sit on and savor.

I was planning on leaving this in the secondary for at least 3 months to make sure the Brett strain does its thing.

[smoga]

It might move faster if you used more smack packs instead of making a starter I assumed that was what you were really asking - starter vs. more packs?

Somewhat - I only have 1 pack & I'm SOL until Wyeast re-releases it again (its a Private Collection strain).  My main concern was that I'd throw off the ratio of ale yeast:Brett by building a starter because the 2 strains would reproduce at different rates.

From my experience anyway, I really don't think the ratio of Brett to yeast is that critical - They seem to behave like a "tag team" The yeast ramps up does it's thing; and only once it's done does the Brett start to do it's thing. My limited experience with Brett indicates that a little goes a long way; even a small portion of Brett will eventually sour a full batch of beer. So, even if they don't reproduce at the same rate, you have plenty of Brett....

[akr71]

Thanks all for your input!  I'll RDWHAHB and make up that starter this weekend.

[tschmidlin]

Depending on the brett character you want, there's really no need to do a starter.  The sacch might under attenuate the beer, but that just leaves more for the brett to work on.  I think you're going to be fine no matter what you do