Wyeast 1968 London ESB

How does this yeast strain typically smell?

I opened my pouch today to make a starter and it smelled a little foul.
It also poured out quite chunky. Kinda looked like refrigerated gravy.

After I pitched into my flask and put on the stir plate all I can smell is malt. I was going to let it spin overnight and post here, if I am advised or if it starts smelling foul I need to find new yeast. If this is how it is supposed to smell please let me know.

I can't say I've ever noticed a bad smell. Chunky should be OK. WLP002 goes the same way, and they are very similar (if not the same).

-a.

I wouldn't call it foul, but it's definitely chunky.

To me it definitely smelled different and it was very chunky. After I made a starter of this, I almost threw it out because it was so different from what I was used to.