2nd generation yeast how to

So for many of you this will be a dumb question...

I've brewed a few batches, but starting to get into it more. I hear people talk about 2nd and 3rd generation yeast.

Where\what do I reclaim this yeast from?

How do I reclaim it?

How do I store it?

How long is it good for stored?

How many generations can I use it for?

Also, my neighbor said he harvested yeast from a shelf craft beer. I think he said was the 'gunk' at the bottom. Is this accurate?

1) your primary

2) scoop out a cup or so (see mrmalty.com for appropriate amount) & pitch or wash the yeast: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f163/yeast-washing-illustrated-41768/

3) in sanitized jars in the fridge

4) a long time

5) IIRC, 10 is the suggested limit

6) yes, the dregs at the bottom of the bottle can be used. heres a list of confirmed ones: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f163/commercial-beer-yeast-harvest-list-262713/

I've been top cropping my english ale yeasts, I have two carboy caps each with a 3/8 stainless tube through them connected with tubing. I put one on to the fermenting carboy (this one has an air filter and a hose attached to it too) the other goes into a flask. I use the tube with the filter to blow into the fermenter an push out the liquid at the top of the fermenter. I harvest about 300-500ml of the top of the fermenting beer at high krousen, and then add 1500ml of a starter and let that go over night. That gives me ~600 billion cell count (rough estimate) that i pitch into a 11 gallon batch.

Well, it depends on the type of fermenter you use and how you want to go about it because there are a ton of different ways. I personally use carboys and dump in the boiled and cooled water and then rinse and save it. Just do a search for it. There are a few really good topics on this site and you can find videos on youtube.

cmybeer said:

Well, it depends on the type of fermenter you use and how you want to go about it because there are a ton of different ways. I personally use carboys and dump in the boiled and cooled water and then rinse and save it. Just do a search for it. There are a few really good topics on this site and you can find videos on youtube.

Click to expand...

+1 The sticky at the top of this forum and the video on BillyBrew were my two main references.