Barm Cakes

Having watched the Victorian Bakers I just wonder if you could culture your own yeast (barm) from the dregs in that unpasteurised real ale bottle?

You most certainly can- it is not unknown for forces Field Barkers to start a dough using a fresh bottle of 'Live Beer' if  but only if the absolute need arose!!! 

 

 

 

The Sourdough starter that my son uses, started from just a mix of flour and water, and the 'natural' yeasts in the environment.  Each culture has it's own definite flavour - depending on the particular yeasts and organisms in your own house, and once you've got a good leven going then it's divided and grown again.  My first attempt turned out to taste really awful - so I abandoned it.  Obviously my son's house is a better location for sourdough leven (probably because it's a lot more rich in yeasts and organisms as he's less fastidious than me)!