Brewing with wild yeast can be an exciting and rewarding adventure for any homebrewer. Unlike cultivated yeast strains, wild yeast adds unique and unpredictable flavors to your beer. If you’re ready to experiment, here are some of the best recipes for brewing with wild yeast that will help you make distinctive and delicious brews.
1. Wild Ale with Mixed Fermentation
One of the most popular recipes for brewing with wild yeast involves using mixed fermentation. This method combines wild yeast with traditional brewer’s yeast to create complex flavors. Start with a base of pale malt and add some wheat malt for a smooth body. Once your wort is boiled and cooled, pitch a blend of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Brettanomyces. Allow the beer to ferment for several months in a cool, dark place. This process will yield a tangy, slightly sour ale with a distinctive wild yeast character.
2. Saison with Brettanomyces
Saison is a classic style that pairs wonderfully with wild yeast. For a Brettanomyces Saison, begin with a traditional Saison recipe, using pilsner malt, wheat malt, and some aromatic hops. After primary fermentation with a Saison yeast, add Brettanomyces for secondary fermentation. This will give the beer a fruity, spicy character and a funky edge that enhances the Saison’s natural flavors. Bottle conditioning will further develop the wild yeast profile, adding depth to the final product.
3. Lambic-Style Gueuze
Gueuze is a Belgian style that relies heavily on wild yeast. To brew a Lambic-style Gueuze, start with a wort that includes a mix of pilsner malt and a small amount of caramel malt. Boil the wort and then cool it before transferring it to a fermentation vessel. Add a mix of wild yeasts, including Brettanomyces, and let it ferment for up to a year. Once fermentation is complete, blend young and aged Lambics to create the final Gueuze. The result will be a complex, effervescent beer with flavors ranging from tart to fruity.
4. Berliner Weisse with Fruit
Berliner Weisse is a tart, refreshing wheat beer that can be enhanced with wild yeast. Begin with a basic Berliner Weisse recipe, which includes pilsner malt and wheat malt. After boiling and cooling, add lactobacillus to sour the beer. Once the souring process is complete, pitch a wild yeast strain like Brettanomyces. You can also add fruit, such as raspberries or cherries, during secondary fermentation for additional flavor. This recipe yields a crisp, tart beer with fruity undertones and a hint of wild yeast funk.
5. Flanders Red Ale
Flanders Red Ale is a Belgian style known for its deep red color and complex sour flavors. To brew this style, start with a base of Vienna malt, along with some caramel and roasted malts. Boil the wort and then cool it before transferring it to a fermentation vessel. Add a mix of wild yeasts and lactobacillus to achieve the characteristic sourness. Age the beer in oak barrels for several months to develop its rich, malty character and sour complexity. This recipe will produce a beautifully balanced ale with notes of dark fruit, oak, and wild yeast.
6. Brett-Infused Pale Ale
For a twist on a classic Pale Ale, try adding Brettanomyces during secondary fermentation. Start with a standard Pale Ale recipe, using pale malt and a moderate amount of hops. After the primary fermentation with a clean ale yeast, transfer the beer to a secondary fermenter and pitch Brettanomyces. This will impart a subtle funkiness and additional complexity to the beer. Allow it to age for a few weeks before bottling to let the wild yeast fully develop its character.
7. Spontaneously Fermented Saison
Spontaneous fermentation is a traditional method used to brew Saison with wild yeast. This process involves exposing the wort to open air, allowing naturally occurring wild yeasts and bacteria to inoculate it. Use a base of pale malt and wheat malt, and cool the wort in a shallow vessel to maximize exposure. Once the wort is cool, transfer it to a fermentation vessel and let it ferment for several months. This method can produce highly unique and variable results, making each batch a one-of-a-kind experience.
8. Wild Yeast Witbier
Witbier, a Belgian-style wheat beer, can be transformed with wild yeast. Begin with a recipe that includes wheat malt, pilsner malt, and a mix of spices such as coriander and orange peel. After boiling and cooling, pitch a blend of wild yeasts, including Brettanomyces and lactobacillus. This will give the Witbier a distinctive tangy, spicy flavor with a touch of wild yeast complexity. Bottle conditioning will enhance the beer’s character and carbonation.
Conclusion
These recipes for brewing with wild yeast offer a diverse range of flavors and styles to explore. From sour ales to fruity farmhouse beers, wild yeast adds an exciting twist to traditional brewing techniques. Each recipe provides a unique opportunity to experiment and create distinctive beers with complex and intriguing flavors.