Mixed fermentation

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Do you enjoy characterful and complex beers? Then our mixed fermentation beers are sure to be right up your street. Discover them all above, make your choice and order easily in our webshop.

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The unique characteristics of mixed fermentation

Beer with mixed fermentation ferments through a combination of different yeasts and bacteria, often in several phases. Traditional brewing yeasts work together with wild yeasts and lactic acid bacteria. This creates a much more complex flavour profile than beer fermented with just one yeast strain. The result is a lively beer with fresh acidity, fruity notes, earthy aromas and continuous development during maturation.

How mixed fermentation beer is brewed

When brewing mixed fermentation beer, the process usually starts with a first fermentation using a traditional brewing yeast. This primary fermentation converts most of the sugars into alcohol and carbon dioxide, laying the foundation of the beer. In most cases, these are top-fermented beers.

During the second fermentation, other bacteria play an important role. They produce lactic acid and sometimes add extra sour complexity as well. This is what gives the beer its typical fresh and tangy character. Wild yeasts often become active at the same time or slightly later in the process. They break down residual sugars and add additional aromas.

The third phase includes the maturation and further development of the beer. It often rests for months or even years in wooden barrels or tanks (barrel aged beers). During this ageing process, the flavour profile becomes rounder and deeper. The wood, oxidation and prolonged activity of yeasts and bacteria add extra layers to the complex final result.

Well-known mixed fermentation styles

Mixed fermentation beers are often sour beers and fruit beers. Flemish red-brown ales, such as Rodenbach from Brewery Palm, develop their typical character during a long maturation in large oak foeders. There, wild yeasts and lactic acid bacteria work together to create the balance between fruitiness, acidity and woody notes. You can find all these and many more mixed fermentation beers above in our webshop.