Open Fermentation

Mark Farrall · Jan 10, 2019

Been thinking about capturing the beasties at a mates farm. Rather than doing a full batch and leaving it out overnight I'd probably start small with a few bottles of DME scattered around the place. Though that hasn't stopped me looking at solutions for a coolship for my size batches (10 litre / 2.5 gallons). Something like the 12 litre version of this looks very cost effective

https://www.nisbets.com.au/vogue-stainless-steel-half-size-gastronorm-tray-200mm/dn712

So getting back to the topic, it also occurred to me that I might be able to use it to scratch another stupid idea I've been considering - open fermentations of standard sacch batches. So before I get carried away I was wondering if anyone else has been trying open fermentations. What's been working, what hasn't, what type of vessels are you using? Or any other advice on when to use it or not use it?

ChicoBrewer · Jan 10, 2019

I would think you would need a clean chamber like a really clean chest freezer and containers that fit in their (cambro?)

Sierra Nevada open ferments kellerweis and big foot at both breweries. The video in the link below is the Chico brewery. If you look at the end of the room you can see people walking around. That used to be a window into the restaurant. They have closed it off to make more room behind the bar for a crowler machine

https://www.sierranevada.com/blog/north-carolina-brewery/open-tanks-and-free-range-flavors

Nosybear · Jan 10, 2019

Mark Farrall said:
Been thinking about capturing the beasties at a mates farm. Rather than doing a full batch and leaving it out overnight I'd probably start small with a few bottles of DME scattered around the place. Though that hasn't stopped me looking at solutions for a coolship for my size batches (10 litre / 2.5 gallons). Something like the 12 litre version of this looks very cost effective

https://www.nisbets.com.au/vogue-stainless-steel-half-size-gastronorm-tray-200mm/dn712

So getting back to the topic, it also occurred to me that I might be able to use it to scratch another stupid idea I've been considering - open fermentations of standard sacch batches. So before I get carried away I was wondering if anyone else has been trying open fermentations. What's been working, what hasn't, what type of vessels are you using? Or any other advice on when to use it or not use it?

I've tried it using plastic buckets with the lid on, but not dogged down. I'm back to my closed fermentations. There's really no advantage in flavor and there's a risk of contamination I don't want to take.