This is a photograph of the top of the carboy with the year old plambic. Again note the "brain" like texture of the surface. This is what is known as a pellicle. It is about 1.5 inches thick and is composed of various "wild" yeasts. This batch of beer was pitched with various strains of brettanomyces and candida as well as other strains. Many of these yeasts form pseudomycelia or branching structures. This gives them the abilty to mat together and float. Also many of these yeast strains prefer condtions where oxigen is readily available and thus grow on the surface.

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