So I've been busy this year and haven't brewed at all most of the year and started back up brewing in September. I'm now back to brewing 3-4 times a month and it's good to be back on the horse!
Anyways, I've been making my starters 500ml larger than what is required and saving that extra 500ml. For the next brew I take that extra 500ml and make another starter which is 500ml larger and save that extra 500ml for a starter for the following brew.
My question is, with each new starter I do, is that considered a new generation of yeast? If so, about how many generations (or cycles?) can I do this, considering my sanitation is good?
So far, I've done this for 5 brews and so far no issues (I've got a 6th brew fermenting and haven't tried it yet). Basically my process is after the starter is complete, I take it right off the stir plate and fill up a sanitized mason jar (which is about 500ml) and put the mason jar in the fridge. When it's time to make a new starter for the next brew, I just decant, swirl around and pitch into the starter wort.
I brew 3-4 times a month so it doesn't stay in the fridge more than 2 weeks before going into the next starter.
Thanks in advance for any input and/or advice!