SenorWanderer

Recipes 

I just pitched a Wyeast smack pack of London ESB 1968 into a 1 gallon starter. when i opened the pack the yeast was separated out from the other liquid and it looked curdled, like bailey's irish cream looks when you pour it into soda (don't ask how i know this). everything was normal procedure; bought it today, date on package is sept 30, smacked it about 3 hours ago, made the starter wort, etc. the pack got very bloated like usual, smelled fine.

anyone ever seen this? i've never used this yeast before, could it be this particular strain?

TIA

Blender

Recipes 

Certain British strains do get very clumpy. I am not absolutely familiar with that yeast bit I would not worry. Here is a shot of WLP002 after 16 hours on the stirplate.

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Gary

brewt00l

Recipes 

Different yeast strains look different...I've found that highly flocculant yeast strains can look all sorts of clumpy. That pic is WLP007, another very flocculant yeast like 1968

PseudoChef

Recipes 

Yes, it happens. WLP002 is the same thing as WY1968.

Whisler85

Recipes 

Totally normal- Wyeast London ESB is probably the most flocculant ale yeast that they offer- definitely could clump in the smack pack

david_42

Recipes 

Plan on doing a little swirling to finish the ferment.

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FishinDave07

Recipes 

+2. You gotta make sure they "finish the job"

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Primary: Nothing
Secondary: DFH Punkin Ale
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jalgayer

Recipes 

For what is worth, it was Wyeast Labs London ESB Ale - 1968 that I am using.

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Regards,
Jason

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Mad-Elf Inspiration, Graff

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PRIMARY
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Pumpkinman906

Recipes 

London 1968 is our primary yeast for our house brews. When you get a good starter going it looks like cottage cheese in the jug. It is a very flocculant yeast and it clumps up like curds. It also works fast, usually 4 days and your at gravity. We give it quite a bit longer to clean up after itself. I'd say your smack pack is fine, the appearance your seeing is just one of characteristics of the strain.