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Author Topic: What is highest number of generations you have gotten out of a yeast strain?  (Read 1614 times)

Offline dannyjed

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I’m going to see how many generations I can take WY 1056 and WY 2124 before I notice any difference. Currently I’m at the third generation for both. Just wondering how many generations some of you have taken a yeast?


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Dan Chisholm

Offline Robert

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WY 2124 I have lost count after 15 generations.  I really only buy a new pitch when I have a hiatus, or for no good reason at all but I figure it must be time.  It'll go a looooong time. Let me know how it goes!  FWIW 3-5 gens is where I find 2124 (or anybody's version of 34/70) starts to act normal, having adapted from lab to brewing. I should also note I repitch pretty quick ( usually 2-4 days from harvest.)
Rob Stein
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Offline JT

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WY 2124 I have lost count after 15 generations.  I really only buy a new pitch when I have a hiatus, or for no good reason at all but I figure it must be time.  It'll go a looooong time. Let me know how it goes!  FWIW 3-5 gens is where I find 2124 (or anybody's version of 34/70) starts to act normal, having adapted from lab to brewing. I should also note I repitch pretty quick ( usually 2-4 days from harvest.)
Interesting.  I've not been big on repitching, mainly because I can't seem to schedule regular brewing.  I'll have a strain in the fridge for 2 months and just decide to repurchase.  I think 3 gens is as far as I've gone. 
What differences are you noticing with the brewing vs. lab behavior?

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Offline Robert

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WY 2124 I have lost count after 15 generations.  I really only buy a new pitch when I have a hiatus, or for no good reason at all but I figure it must be time.  It'll go a looooong time. Let me know how it goes!  FWIW 3-5 gens is where I find 2124 (or anybody's version of 34/70) starts to act normal, having adapted from lab to brewing. I should also note I repitch pretty quick ( usually 2-4 days from harvest.)
Interesting.  I've not been big on repitching, mainly because I can't seem to schedule regular brewing.  I'll have a strain in the fridge for 2 months and just decide to repurchase.  I think 3 gens is as far as I've gone. 
What differences are you noticing with the brewing vs. lab behavior?

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Not anything big, but the first couple of generations can have a (slightly) longer lag, a (slightly) lower kräusen head, a half day or day longer to reach a given attenuation... mostly just related to vigor of fermentation, but (I think) the flavor also gets a bit cleaner and crisper but more complex after it gets going. The latter I suppose follows from the former.  Adaptation is, I realize, a much debated subject.  Could be actual adaptation to diet and environment,  could just be carryover of nutrients in trub, right?
Rob Stein
Akron, Ohio

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Offline ynotbrusum

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I went out 25 generations on a clean Pilsner yeast, I think it was WLP 800.  That was over a period of nearly 2 years, I believe, with back to back brewing so it didn’t sit for long.

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Offline MNWayne

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I'm in my 2nd year of WLP838. However I overbuild rather than repitch.
Far better to dare mighty things....

Offline dannyjed

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Thanks for the info guys. The most I’ve gone is 5-6 generations and I once got a contamination with some stored yeast. It ruined two beers with bad phenolic flavor, so I’m always leery about that happening again.


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« Last Edit: April 28, 2018, 03:10:33 pm by dannyjed »
Dan Chisholm

Offline brewinhard

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Thanks for the info guys. I most I’ve gone is 5-6 generations and I once got a contamination with some stored yeast. It ruined two beers with bad phenolic flavor, so I’m always leery about that happening again.


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Always be sure to smell your yeast before using it.