Changes

Primary Fermentation by Saccharomyces is generally conducted in the same way for a sour beer as for a non-sour beer. Depending on the intended final result the brewer might select a neutral ale strain (WLP 001-Wyeast 1056, WLP036-Wyeast 1007) to provide a neutral background for the souring microbes to act on. Alternatively, the brewer may use a belgian-farmhouse strain (see [[Saccharomyces]] page for a comprehensive list) to increase the phenol characters of the beer which can then be acted on by [[Brettanomyces]]. This primary fermentation can take place in any vessel subtable suitable for a normal Saccharomyces fermentation, as always fermentation temperature control is of critical importance and temperature profiles for this fermentation step should match those suggested for the strain of Saccharomyces selected for this step. Once active fermentation has subsided the mostly attenuated wort can then be moved on to the secondary fermenting vessel. There is some variation in common practice as to whether or not the primary fermentation yeast should be carefully settled out, moving over bright clear beer only, or if un-settled cloudy high yeast population wort is moved to the secondary vessel. New Belgium moves their lager primary fermented beer after centrifuging, indicating that this centrifuged beer exhibits cleaner characters from secondary fermentation faster than un-centrifuged beer; , allowing the resulting sour beer to be ready for packaging more quickly.