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How do you know your starter worked

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  • How do you know your starter worked

    So I made a starter yesterday about 14:00, this morning no activity at all but there is a decent layer of yeast sediment at the bottom and the wort is clear of suspended yeast. Is it possible I missed it? Can you test if the yeast is ok?

    My worry is that when I pitched the yeast (White Labs WLP 060 liquid) I noticed that the best before date on the tube was Jan 2013. Is it right for suppliers to be selling yeast of this age?
    "I’m Allergic to grass. Hey, it could be worse. I could be allergic to beer." – Greg Norman

  • #2
    What does the starter smell like?

    There should be clear activity - you should be able to see some air bubbles in the wort or some foam on top of the wort. If not - then she is dead .... Did you use a stir plate?

    I hasd some yeast that worked fine after the expiry date and then I had some that was dead before the expiry ended.
    Busy rebuilding ....

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    • #3
      Thanks Faan. There was no activity which led me to think it may have happened during the night and was already over. I don't have a stir plate yet, where is the cheapest place to get one?

      I didn't notice the smell of the starter, but when I pitched the yeast it smelled of beer.

      I fear the worst, I brewed yesterday and this morning no activity, white sediment layer on bottom. Have taken off the blow off and put in an airlock to see if any pressure is building. I have a packet of US05, what do you think? Not the same as the liquid though.

      I am pretty unhappy with the Beer Keg at the moment. Really feels like he laid off his old stock on me because I am a beginner.
      Bryan
      Senior Member
      Last edited by Bryan; 28 April 2013, 07:01.
      "I’m Allergic to grass. Hey, it could be worse. I could be allergic to beer." – Greg Norman

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      • #4
        Pitch the US05 if there is still nothing by now .... All should be OK.
        Busy rebuilding ....

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        • #5
          Thanks, pitched the US05 this morning. WLP060 was as dead as a dodo. Have sent mail to Vincent.
          "I’m Allergic to grass. Hey, it could be worse. I could be allergic to beer." – Greg Norman

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          • #6
            Pleased to report all is well as you can see. Vincent replied asking if I made a starter and telling me that White Labs told him that the yeast is good for 6 months after the expiry date. I told him I did indeed make a starter, heard nothing since. Any comments on the 6 months' past expiry, surely not, yeast dies off over time.

            20130501_140518.jpg
            Bryan
            Senior Member
            Last edited by Bryan; 1 May 2013, 14:26.
            "I’m Allergic to grass. Hey, it could be worse. I could be allergic to beer." – Greg Norman

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            • #7
              I made a starter with WLP830 - German Lager yeast and the expiry on it is 30Jan as well - no problem



              The foam on the sides is a tell tale sign that it is working. It took 36 hours to start up but she is going !!
              Busy rebuilding ....

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              • #8
                Wish I had taken a photo, the morning after pitching the yeast was on the bottom and nothing was in suspension, seemed to be in clumps, like the activity had happened already. When I pitched it into the brew I monitored it and nothing happened, it was dead.

                I don't think there is any doubt that the viability of 'old' yeast is down, I mean this was 8 months old.

                the question still remains, is it right for someone to sell yeast that is past it's best by date?

                BTW where did you get your stirrer?
                "I’m Allergic to grass. Hey, it could be worse. I could be allergic to beer." – Greg Norman

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                • #9
                  Made the stirrer plate. PC fan, Rear Earth Magnets (Out of an old hard drive), 12v power supply and a potentiometer. There is whole bunch of youtube videos to follow. You can the stirrers from Vincent
                  Busy rebuilding ....

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                  • #10
                    Thanks, thought so. Will be making one myself.
                    "I’m Allergic to grass. Hey, it could be worse. I could be allergic to beer." – Greg Norman

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