Ale_Satan wrote:
cdburg
What's your prefered starter wort for bugs?
I apologize ahead of time for the thread hyjack...
I've never done a starter for anything other than brett. Everything else just gets pitched. I don't want to risk messing with the ratio of bugs.
With brett, I make a normal starter, I just let it go for about 6-7 days between steps, on a stir plate (separate stir bar only for brett, because I'm paranoid). I usually aim for normal "ale" pitching rates (some people say lager rates are better, which may be true). With two vials, it usually takes about 1000 ml to 1500 ml for the first step and then 2000 ml to 3000 ml for the second. The fermentation usually takes about 10-14 days to finish. Pitching at lager rates might help speed that up. I like the ester profile with my current pitching rates though.
If I oxygenate (normal "ale" rate), I get from 1.060 to about 1.007 or 1.005, like a super Cal Ale but huge tropical fruit flavors and aromas. If I don't oxygenate, it usually takes it all the way to 1.000, but it takes closer to three weeks. I think the taste is slightly cleaner with no oxygen (seems to match what Chad Yacobson said on the Crooked Stave show), but I need to do a split batch to confirm. My mind could be messing with me.
There's a really good article in BYO this month about Brett IPAs. It might be worth a look, if you're thinking of brewing one.