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Author Topic: Yeast starter looks strange--advice needed  (Read 4547 times)

Offline crowbar

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Yeast starter looks strange--advice needed
« on: August 21, 2013, 06:19:49 am »
I've got a yeast starter going on a stir plate, which I've done many  times in the past, but this time, it looks like chunks whirling around in the flask.  I've never seen that happen before, usually it's a consistent caramel color whirling around.  Since my last batch went south due to yeast problems, it's time to ask for help.

I started the yeast about 7pm Monday evening, planning to brew this morning.  I added 2 smack packs, one of them with a July date, one with a January date.  1300 ML of water to make a starter for 10 gallons.

This morning, I turned the stir plate off, waited for everything to settle, and it looks like solid yeast in the bottom of the flask. Turned the plate back on, and sure enough, the solid pack of what looks like yeast creates chunks that float and whirl around.

Is this problematic, or the best yeast starter I've ever made?

narvin

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Re: Yeast starter looks strange--advice needed
« Reply #1 on: August 21, 2013, 06:32:45 am »
It's fine, that's what more flocculant yeasts look like.  You're probably just using a British ale yeast.   :)

Offline crowbar

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Re: Yeast starter looks strange--advice needed
« Reply #2 on: August 21, 2013, 06:36:24 am »
It's fine, that's what more flocculant yeasts look like.  You're probably just using a British ale yeast.   :)

That's correct!  Thanks for the advice.

Offline swampale

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Re: Yeast starter looks strange--advice needed
« Reply #3 on: August 22, 2013, 05:34:19 am »
I got that with WLP002 and thought I screwed up with my sanitation. However, the vial kind of looked the same way.

Offline scottNU

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Re: Yeast starter looks strange--advice needed
« Reply #4 on: August 22, 2013, 07:18:51 am »
I got that with WLP002 and thought I screwed up with my sanitation. However, the vial kind of looked the same way.

The White Labs samples often seem more "chunky" out of the vial compared to the Wyeast smack packs.  I don't seem a big difference after a starter is made.

Offline duboman

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Re: Yeast starter looks strange--advice needed
« Reply #5 on: August 22, 2013, 07:39:14 am »
Normal,
WY1968 looks like cottage cheese or a major snow globe blizzard!
Peace....Love......Beer......

The Commune Brewing Company-Perfecting the craft of beer since 2010

Offline erockrph

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Re: Yeast starter looks strange--advice needed
« Reply #6 on: August 22, 2013, 09:12:39 am »
Normal,
WY1968 looks like cottage cheese or a major snow globe blizzard!

+1 - It really is mesmerizing to watch 1968 at work in a carboy.
Eric B.

Finally got around to starting a homebrewing blog: The Hop Whisperer

Offline HoosierBrew

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Re: Yeast starter looks strange--advice needed
« Reply #7 on: August 22, 2013, 09:20:45 am »
Normal,
WY1968 looks like cottage cheese or a major snow globe blizzard!

+1 - It really is mesmerizing to watch 1968 at work in a carboy.
+2
Jon H.

Offline klickitat jim

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Re: Yeast starter looks strange--advice needed
« Reply #8 on: August 22, 2013, 10:49:30 am »
Water?

Offline klickitat jim

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Re: Yeast starter looks strange--advice needed
« Reply #9 on: August 22, 2013, 10:51:28 am »

I started the yeast about 7pm Monday evening, planning to brew this morning.  I added 2 smack packs, one of them with a July date, one with a January date.  1300 ML of water to make a starter for 10 gal
[/quote]

Water, or wort?