Mixed Cultures

Mixed cultures contain 2 or more different genera from each of these genera of organisms: Lactobacillus, Pediococcus, Brettanomyces, and Saccharomyces (see each of the previous links for commercially available pure cultures of these organisms).

(Note: this definition is partly determined by the structure of this wiki. All of the commercial cultures are separated by genus rather than species on this wiki. Technically, any culture that contains more than one species could be called a "mixed culture". However, for the purposes of organizing the charts of commercially available microorganisms by genus, for now the above is the definition of a "mixed culture".)

Commercial Mixed Cultures

Culture Charts

In cooperation with Eric Bandauski .

Bootleg Biology

Name	Attenuation	Flocculation	Temp°F	Notes
BBXSS-0715 Sour Solera Blend	NA	NA	NA	Source: A “living” culture blend propagated from our carefully managed continuous solera fermentation. Many lab-produced multi-species culture blends fail to reproduce the richness and complexity of traditional lambic-style fermentations in their first effort. This can be a result of artificially slamming together cultures after pulling them directly from the freezer. Instead, our Sour Solera Blend contains a unique and complex collection of Sacchromyces, Brettanomyces, Lactobacillus, Pediococcus and other funky yeast and souring bacteria pulled from an active fermentation. This blend can sour in a matter of months at 70ºF or higher, or if you prefer a more prolonged fermentation, use large amounts of aged hops and/or ferment and hold at temperatures below 70ºF. This blend is available seasonally, and will always be changing and evolving due to the nature of solera fermentations. Warning: No two Sour Solera Blend releases will be the same, and neither will their fermentations. A 1 liter 1.030-1.040 SG unhopped starter (use DME or wort) for a 5 gallon batch of beer is recommended. Use a stir plate for 1-2 days. Keep the starter below 70°F .

Boutique Yeast

Name	Attenuation	Flocculation	Temp°F	Notes
BY-A Brett. Saison Blend	High - Very High	Medium Low - Low	65-95°F	This blend is perfect for creating low-funk, low tartness, Belgian-based Brettanomyces Saisons. The Brett. strains bring ripe, tropical fruit with low funkiness. The first Sacc. strain is a traditional high-temperature Belgian Saison strain, the second is a Belgian-style Abbey strain that help ensure quick attenuation, aids in flocculation, and provides additional complexity to the finished beer. Shipped in a 10mL, screw top vial with cell count, viability, and contamination testing report. Recommended making a 1-2L starter.

Dry Yeast for Sour Ales BlackManYeast

Name	Attenuation	Flocculation	Temp°F	Notes
American Sour Mix (A4)			62-75°F	A4 American sour mix is blended for primary fermentation with ale yeast and a double dose of lactobacillus. The blend does well at room temperature for no-fuss fermentation. Use to create unique American Sour ales.
Flemish Sour mix (F4)			60-72°F	F4 Flemish sour mix produces a sour with fruity and spicy notes. The pediococcus and lactobacillus create a sharp sour that plays well with crystal malts. Use to create moderately sour Flanders ales, Oud Bruin, and Gueuze.
German Sour Mix (G4)			60-68°F	G4 German sour mix is blended for tartness, a heavy dose of lactobacillus and alt yeast make a perfectly crisp sour ale. Use with sea-salt for a sour Gose, add smoked malt for a traditional Lichtenhainer, or keep it simple with a refreshing Berliner Weisse.
Belgian Sour mix (B4)			62-82°F	B4 Belgian sour mix provides a light lemon-peppery note reminiscent of Trappist beers. The profile is extended with the addition of pediococcus and lactobacillus. This blend is great for deep farmhouse ales.

East Coast Yeast

Name	Attenuation	Flocculation	Temp°F	Notes
ECY01 - BugFarm	East Coast Yeast			wild yeast and lactic bacteria to emulate sour or wild beers such as lambic-style ales. Over time displays a citrus sourness and barnyard funk profile
ECY02 Flemish Ale				blend of yeast and lactic bacteria producing sour beers with leather, fruit, and cherry stone flavors, base Belgian yeast, several Brettanomyces, Lactobacilli, and Pediococcus
ECY03 Farmhouse Brett	East Coast Yeast			produce a funky and acidic farmhouse ale particularly when a secondary fermentable is added (i.e. priming sugar or fruit)
ECY20 BugCounty	East Coast Yeast			20 different isolates combined for fermentation to overwhelm the senses

GigaYeast

Name	Attenuation	Flocculation	Temp°F	Notes
GB144 Sweet Flemish Brett	80-85	Low	68-75	Produces a sweet, slightly fruity profile with just a hint of barnyard and spicy phenolics
GB122 Berliner Blend				A blend of neutral ale yeast and lactic acid bacteria. Use directly in a primary to make a crisp, sour beer! LAB is the same strain as GB110 .
GB123 Sour Plum Belgian				Belgian ale yeast and lactic acid bacteria. Cleaner than GB121. Creates a beer with stone fruit/plum esters and sour notes. LAB is the same strain as GB110 .
GB121 Farmhouse Sour		Low	68-80	Belgian Ale Yeast, Brettanomyces and Lactic Acid Bacteria, Bright sour flavors with sweet, fruity esters, small amount of spicy phenolics and a hint of funky barnyard. LAB is the same strain as GB110 .
GB124 Saison Sour		Low	68-80	Sour with fruity esters and black pepper. LAB is the same strain as GB110 .

Imperial Organic Yeast

Name	Attenuation	Flocculation	Temp°F	Notes
F01 - Chimera				Three Bretts (clausseni, custerianus, lambicus), L. brevis, and a Belgian Sacch.
F02 - Gorgon				Two Bretts (lambicus family), L. delbrückii, and the same Belgian Sacch as F01.

Omega Yeast Labs

Name	Attenuation	Flocculation	Temp°F	Notes
Where Da Funk	78-88	Low	68-80	A blend of a mild Brettanomyces isolate from a Colorado brewery known for its Brett beers and two strains formerly classified as Brettanomyces but since found to be Saccharomyces (Trois and ECY-03b). This blend produces huge tropical fruit aromas during fermentation that fade somewhat during conditioning. Has a wide temperature range and ferments very dry, leaving little body. Consider adding flaked oats if additional body is desired. This blend will not produce significant “funk” or acid, even with extended aging. The blend pairs well with fruity aroma hops to make a unique pale ale. Homebrew pitches contain ~150 billion cells .
Bit O' Funk	85+	Low	68-80	This blend contains the two Saccharomyces strains from blend #1 for primary fermentation and is spiked with Brettanomyces bruxellensis for development of moderate “funk” during a secondary fermentation. The “bit ‘o funkiness” will take extended time (3+ months) to develop. Trois (Sacch), ECY-03b (Sacch), and bruxellensis blend. Homebrew pitches contain ~150 billion cells .
Bring on da Funk	85+	Low	68-80	This blend contains the two Saccharomyces strains from blend #1 for primary fermentation and is spiked with Brettanomyces bruxellensis, Brettanomyces lambicus, two Brettanomyces isolates from a Colorado brewery known for its Brett beers, and two Brettanomyces isolates from an “Intense” Belgian source for a funky, fruity and complex brew. Brett character will develop over time. Acid production will increase over time given exposure to oxygen. Trois (Sacch), ECY-03b (Sacch), bruxellensis, claussenii, lambicus, custersianus, and naardenensis blend; funky and fruity given time, acid production increases with exposure to oxygen over time. Homebrew pitches contain ~150 billion cells .
C2C American Farmhouse	75-85	Low	68-80	A "coast to coast" blend of a saison strain from a famous Northeast U.S. brewery and a Brettanomyces strain from a Northwest U.S. brewery. The blend results in a fast developing fruity and funky farmhouse ale. Homebrew pitches contain ~150 billion cells . Making a starter for this blend is optional, and Lance recommends not worrying about throwing off the ratio of strains. The beer should start off clovey, and gets funky over time. The Sacch strain is predominately clovey at 68-70°F, and can have additional fruity character to compliment the clove above 70°F .

SouthYeast Labs

Name	Attenuation	Flocculation	Temp°F	Notes
Saison 1 Blend	High	Medium		Use for Blonde, wit, saison, sours. "Medium acidity". 2-4 weeks in primary. Large bouquet of fruit and spice; complex . Contains two unidentified yeasts, along with their N1 "Native Strong Ale" Sacch strain. The two unidentified strains are assumed not to be Sacch or Brett at this time. SYL is waiting on DNA lab results on these two yeasts. "The one behaves more similar to sacch, while the other more brett. Both are very acidic strains with notes of peach, citrus and apple cider."
Walhallaweisse	High	NA	86°F	A 50/50 blend of their Lactobacillus 2 and Musserweissen Sacch yeast. Low to no IBU's. Cap fermenter for 24 hours, then agitate the fermenter, and then add an airlock. Allow 2-4 weeks for fermentation/souring .
Farmhouse Saison Blend	High	Low		Use for farmhouse ales. "Medium acidity". Peach, citrus esters; straw spice phenolics. 2-6 months to reach maturity . This is the same blend as Saison 1, but also includes their Lactobacillus 2 strain, and an unidentified Brettanomyces strain that is very similar to the Boulevard Saison-Brett strain .

The Yeast Bay

Name	Attenuation	Flocculation	Temp°F	Notes
Mélange	85	Med	68-70	two Saccharomyces cerevisiae isolates,Saccharomyces fermentati, five Brettanomyces isolates, Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus delbreuckii and Pediococcus damnosus.
Farmhouse Sour Ale	80-90	Med	70-78	Two farmhouse/saison Saccharomyces cerevisiaeisolates, Lactobacillus brevis, and Lactobacillus delbreuckii / Expect this blend to take 1-3 months to begin creating appreciable levels of acidity
Saison/Brettanomyces Blend	80+	Medium-Low	70-78	This blend combines one of the Saccharomyces strains from the Saison Blend and two unique Brettanomyces isolates from our yeast library. The Saccharomyces yeast strain is a strong attenuator that produces a delightful ester profile of grapefruit and orange zest and imparts a long, dry and earthy finish to the beer. The Brettanomyces strains are both good attenuators that produce some fruity esters and mild funk, and add a bright character to the beer. The combination of these yeast produces a dry but balanced character with a delightful ester profile and just the right amount of funk. Approximately 58 billion cells/vial.
Funktown Pale Ale	78-80	Medium-Low	68-74	Funktown Pale Ale is a blend of our Vermont Ale strain and a unique strain of Brettanomyces that is well suited for primary fermentation Saccharomyces "Bruxellensis" Trois. The combination of the citrus/peach esters from the Vermont Ale strain and the very light funk and pineapple/mango esters from the Brettanomyces produces a unique flavor and aroma profile that is fruit-forward. Expect this blend to finish drier than the Vermont Ale. We recommend following a similar fermentation scheme as is used for the Vermont Ale, fermenting at 67-69 ºF for 3-4 days, and then raising the temperature to 72 ºF until a stable gravity is reached. Approximately 58 billion cells/vial.

White Labs

Name	Attenuation	Flocculation	Temp°F	Notes
WLP655 Belgian Sour Mix	70-80	Med	80-85	Brettanomyces, Saccharomyces, and the bacterial strains Lactobacillus and Pediococcus.
WLP 630 Berlinerweisse Blend	73-80	Med	68-72	German Weizen yeast and Lactobacillus
WLP665 Flemish Ale Blend	80-85	Med	65-80	Saccharomyces yeasts, Brettanomyces, Lactobacillus, and Pediococcus, this culture creates a more complex, dark stone fruit characteristic than WLP 655 Belgian Sour Mix
WLP670 American Farmhouse Blend	75-82	Med	68-72	farmhouse yeast strain and Brettanomyces

Wyeast

Name	Attenuation	Flocculation	Temp°F	Notes
3278 - Lambic Blend	70-80	Varies	63-75	Belgian style ale strain, a sherry strain, two Brettanomyces strains, a Lactobacillus culture, and a Pediococcus culture
3763 - Roeselare Blend	75-80	Varies	65-85	Belgian style ale strain, a sherry strain, two Brettanomyces strains, a Lactobacillus culture, and a Pediococcus culture. Takes 14-18 months to develop acidity. Keep IBU under 6 for more acidity. Re-use the yeast cake for greater acidity in future batches. Adding fruit after the beer has aged for a few months will help increase acidity due to LAB fermenting the new sugars .
3203 De Bom	70-75	Varies	80-85	Under optimum conditions, beers can be ready for consumption in 1-2 months. AVAILABLE ONLY FROM JULY THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2014 (Michael Dawson from Wyeast indicated that this culture may return at some point) .
3209 Oud Bruin	70-80	Varies	80-85	sour blend is built for dark, malt-accented sour styles – like 3763 Roeselare™ it will create sharp acidity, but unlike 3763 it will leave the malt character intact, creating a balanced and complex end product. Excellent base for blending fruit in secondary. AVAILABLE ONLY FROM JULY THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2014 (Michael Dawson from Wyeast indicated that this culture may return at some point).
3191 Berlinerweisse Blend	73-77	Low	68-72	This blend includes a German ale strain with low ester formation and a dry, crisp finish. The Lactobacillus included produces moderate levels of acidity. The unique Brettanomyces strain imparts a critical earthy characteristic that is indicative of a true Berliner Weisse. When this blend is used, expect a slow start to fermentation as the yeast and bacteria in the blend is balanced to allow proper acid production. It generally requires 3-6 months of aging to fully develop flavor characteristics. Use this blend with worts containing extremely low hopping rates. Private Collection for Spring 2015 (available April-June 2015).
3031 - PC Saison-Brett Blend	80-90	Low	65-80	A blend of Saison yeast and Brettanomyces creates a dry and complex ale. Classic earthy and spicy farmhouse character meets tropical and stone fruit esters; aging brings elevated Brett flavor. Expect high attenuation with this blend. Available from July through September 2015. From Wyeast: "The 3031 blend is a couple different saison strains and a Brett c. The blend should produce a moderate Brett character is a relatively short amount of time (approx. 8-12 weeks), which should increase with age. It will do best at a fermentation temp of 65-80*F, with higher ester formation at the upper end of that range."
9097 - PC Old Ale Blend	75-80	Med	68-75	Wyeast, as part of their Private Collection series, has come out with their Old Ale Blend. Using both an attenuative strain of Saccharomyces and a strain of Brettanomyces, the two work in tandem to create lovely, classic British-style ales. Working particularly well in darker worts, this blend can create wonderful barleywines, old ales and strong ales. The blend creates ales with a nice fruit character and wonderful esters, and the Brett will work on the beer with time, bringing out pie cherry notes with the tart sourness and horse blanket flavors typical in traditional, well-aged old ales. A great strain to use when producing big beers that will develop deep and complex flavors over time! Private Collection for Winter 2015 (available Oct-Dec 2015). The Brett is rumored to be Wyeast 5526 (Lambicus) and the Sacch is rumored to be the Thomas Hardy yeast .

Manufacturer Tips

The Yeast Bay on Mélange and Farmhouse Sour Ale

"You can definitely make a starter for the Melange or the Lochristi Blend. For the Lochristi, run it semi-aerobic for 4-6 days in the 70's and then let it settle at room temp and decant what you can if the starter is large. For the Mélange, run the starter semi-aerobic at 66-68 F for 24-36 hours. This should build up the yeast population sufficiently while not allowing the bacteria to become to active and produce a ton of acid."

For The Yeast Bay Farmhouse Sour Ale, a starter is optional. If the brewers is looking for more farmhouse character from the yeast, create a normal starter with yeast nutrients, and use a stir plate. If the brewer wants to stress the yeast and favor the bacteria, do not make a starter. Nick Impellitteri says that he prefers to do a starter so that the yeast has a good, clean fermentation. He then ages the beer and waits for the bacteria to sour it over time .

Dry Yeast for Sour Ales BlackManYeast on all blends

"My yeast blends are 95 billion CFUs of bacteria for primary fermentation [with] 1.055SG/5 Gallon direct pitch." - Barrett Tillman, owner of BMY .

See Also

Additional Articles on MTF Wiki

• Mixed Fermentation
• Alternative Bacteria Sources
• Sour Worting
• Lactobacillus
• Pediococcus
• Brettanomyces
• Saccharomyces
• Spontaneous Fermentation
• Commercial Sour Beer Inoculation

External Resources

• [Brewing Sour Beer At Home; The Mad Fermentationist.
• [Various BYO Articles.
• [Sour Beer Blog; Understanding, Brewing, and Blending a Lambic Style Kriek.