First Belgian

I brewed a belgian dark strong ale after work on friday and pitched a yeast starter of white labs 1054 (rochefort) at around midnight. This is the first time I made a starter so wasn't sure I did everything right. The next morning at ~8 am, very little signs of activity. I went to seattle as usual for the weekend and just got back. When I opened the door to the ferm room I got a wonderful whiff of stale beer, which only meant one thing: fermentation.

and the carboy:

Thats looks good enough to drink

1st lesson learned: When using a blow-off tube, you need something bigger than a yogurt cup for a receiving vessel.
It's a good thing you used a blow-off tube, though. Looks good!

Looks good! Hmmm...Willamette Valley / Seattle - you in the wine biz?

Evets said:

1st lesson learned: When using a blow-off tube, you need something bigger than a yogurt cup for a receiving vessel.
It's a good thing you used a blow-off tube, though. Looks good!

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Yeah, no kidding. That's one of the bigger 32 oz. containers too. But I thought ahead and put the container in a big pot before I left for the weekend. Glad I did.

blacklab said:

Looks good! Hmmm...Willamette Valley / Seattle - you in the wine biz?

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Not really, though I guess I should take advantage. I have a hard enough time keeping up with all the good beer and coffee around as it is, throw wine in the mix and I'll never get any work done!

I use a half gallon carboy to hold my blow off tube...though I've never had a beer blow up on me to the point a blow off tube was necessary. Maybe I have to start making bigger beers? Better starters?