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Author Topic: Lager yeast starter smells like diacetyl  (Read 2655 times)

Offline troybinso

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Lager yeast starter smells like diacetyl
« on: March 12, 2014, 05:13:28 pm »
I made two separate starters of wyeast 2278 Bohemian Lager and they both smell strongly of diacetyl. The starters were kept at about 68 degrees. I just brewed the batch and will be ready to pitch the yeast in a few hours. I am not that familiar with lager brewing. Is it ok to use this yeast?

Offline hopfenundmalz

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Re: Lager yeast starter smells like diacetyl
« Reply #1 on: March 12, 2014, 05:17:39 pm »
IIRC that one is a good diacetyl producer. You need to pitch a lot of it a little below fermentation temp, manage the temps during fermentation, and do a diacetyl rest or a long lagering time. The yeast will reasorb the diacetyl when they are done fermenting given time. With a starter you have not given them time to reabsorb. I also recommend yeast nutrient in the end of the boil.
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Offline majorvices

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Re: Lager yeast starter smells like diacetyl
« Reply #2 on: March 12, 2014, 08:39:20 pm »
I've never worried too much about how a well handled yeast starter smells. If it is healthy and not made with questionable sanitation practices it will treat you right. Just follow proper fermentation protocol.

Offline ynotbrusum

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Re: Lager yeast starter smells like diacetyl
« Reply #3 on: March 12, 2014, 10:01:21 pm »
Agreed - you are making yeast - not beer, so you want healthy yeast as the end result.  I don't think the same rules apply as to  making beer.  I will post one caveat - my palate is weak as to diacetyl and DMS.  Others may say that they can perceive either aspect where I just don't.
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Re: Lager yeast starter smells like diacetyl
« Reply #4 on: March 15, 2014, 03:52:33 pm »
IIRC that one is a good diacetyl producer.

+1

It's the nature of the beast.  Saaz-type strains are diacetyl producers.  However, the malt profile that they produce is worth the extra effort necessary to control/reduce diacetyl.

Offline thirsty

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Re: Lager yeast starter smells like diacetyl
« Reply #5 on: March 16, 2014, 12:41:51 pm »
Yeah, starters frequently smell kind of weird in my experience. But the beer always tastes good.

Offline klickitat jim

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Re: Lager yeast starter smells like diacetyl
« Reply #6 on: March 16, 2014, 01:35:07 pm »
I've not heard of saaz yeast.

Offline Pinski

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Re: Lager yeast starter smells like diacetyl
« Reply #7 on: March 16, 2014, 01:47:47 pm »
I've not heard of saaz yeast.

It's a geography thing. Saaz is the German name for the Czech town of Zatec. In this case I believe referring more regionally to Czech/Bohemian origin yeast strains.
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Offline klickitat jim

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Re: Lager yeast starter smells like diacetyl
« Reply #8 on: March 17, 2014, 02:12:37 am »
I figured, but just hadn't heard it. Maybe it's a term used in that area? Or was used before my time, who knows.