Well I made a regular starter about 36 hours before brewday. Everything seemed to be good but when I went to smell the starter I was getting some notes of nail polish remover (acetone?). Obviously I decided not to use it and luckily had a back up pack of dry yeast. I assume the acetone odor is related to an infection?
This is purely anecdotal and the beer is still fermenting so take this as is please...
I used a slurry of WY1010 American Wheat to make a starter last week. When I went to pitch it smelled gawd awful. I had no backup so I decided, since starters never smell exactly 'right" anyway, I pitched it in the wort.
So far the bubbles coming through the air lock smell great. I may be greeted by an ugly mess when I go to keg it but for now it seems to be working fine.
Fingers crossed...
Paul
My experience is the same, Paul.
It was my first pass are "yeast farming" since losing our last LHBS. I decided to not worry about it and see what happens.
Cheers!
Paul