Herman the friendship cake - sourdough starter tastes boozy!

[AChickenCalledKorma]

DD1 has brought "Herman" the friendship cake home from school. Am hoping from some advice from someone who has looked after Herman before OR who knows a bit about sourdough cooking.

(If you have no idea what I'm talking about, google herman cake and marvel!)

Basically, we have been looking after Herman diligently for 10 days and are about to make the cake. But I've tasted the sourdough mixture and it tastes distinctly alcoholic. Is that normal for a sourdough, or have we managed to ferment it into something dodgy?!?!

(Hoping that everyone will say "don't be silly, it's meant to taste like that" or I will have v disappointed child ... plus three friends!)

Sourdough should smell slightly 'yoghurty' rather than alcoholic.

As long as it still bubbles when you mix it and rises it is ok. If it doesn't rise then it is dead!

Yep, it's fine, it won't taste of alcohol once you make it into cake.

I think it tastes a bit beery too! But It'll be delish, honestly x

Think it is beery yes.
Pretty gross, non?
Enjoy the end result.

Well we took the plunge and cooked it. It's very yummy indeed and not at all beery :-)