[dak0415]

I made 10 gals of Maerzen in, well, March, and it has been lagering at 31deg on the yeast cake since March 31.  Last week I fined one of the ferms with gelatin and one with Polyclar, just to see which cleared better.  I'm planning an Oktoberfest on June 17.  Should I even consider harvesting the yeast from one of those fermenters at this point or just suck it up and buy fresh WY2278?

[Joe Sr.]

I wouldn't harvest it after you fined it. 

[weithman5]

i would not pitch on top of it but i don't see a reason not to take some and build a new starter. incidentally
what is the difference between your marzen and your octoberfest?

[snowtiger87]

Oktoberfest in June? Who ever heard of such a thing? That is like the commercial stores putting out Christmas stuff before Haloween - oh, wait, they do that now. 

As for harvesting the yeast, +1 on not after you fined it.

[weithman5]

i think june is the perfect time to brew a fest.  done fermenting in mid july.  lager finished in mid september, few weeks for conditioning.  in fact i need to prep one.

[davidgzach]

i think june is the perfect time to brew a fest.  done fermenting in mid july.  lager finished in mid september, few weeks for conditioning.  in fact i need to prep one.

Traditionally I think Oktoberfests were brewed in April, so June would actually be late!

+1 to not using the yeast after fining.

Dave