okay. so I had a starter going Thursday night from yeast I had washed from my secondary last weekend (Wyeast London Ale) following the Sticky in this section. Mixed a couple oz. of DME and about 24 oz. of water, boiled for about 15 minutes, cooled, and filled up a Grolsch style bottle with about 16 oz. Put a bung and air lock on top, and let it go.

Friday morning it was bubbling away. Smelled like healthy beer/yeast. I was planning to brew Saturday and would just pitch this starter into the wort.

So, as it may happen, a curious little kitty got up onto where I had the starter going (dining room table). He knocked it over on the table (fortunately it did not role onto the floor). Anyway, the airlock popped out and a few oz. of yeasty beer spilled to the floor.

After my initial cussing, I quickly put the bottle upright. Took the airlock and rinsed thoroughly with hot tap water (hoping it was somewhat sterilizing). The bung did not fall out (preventing more beer loss). I dampened a paper towel and wiped away the yeasty beer from around the rim and top of the bung, and then quickly put the airlock back on.

It seemed that it shook the bottle pretty good falling over. Seemed that the liquid came out map have been the krausen...or else it just subsided a bit from the fall. The fermentation was waning before it fell over, but really slowed afterwards. This cannot be all that unexpected as it had been going for 24 hours - probably a bit of yeast and not much sugar to go for too much longer.

After this winded talk, should I worry a lot about contamination? Could the fall introduce detrimental effects on the yeast from shaking the bottle? Can't have added too much O2 to the liquid, since the container is full of CO2.

I plan to brew tomorrow (best bitter). Should I make another starter with the other mason jar of yeast I have? Do I even really need a starter, since the yeast has only been in the fridge a week? I could just warm it up and pitch directly. My main worry is contamination. My plan it to just pitch my cat toy starter and see what happens. This is BTW, the first time I have washed yeast and made a starter. Thanks for any comments.