This is now my second run-in with this yeast strain, and I'm seeing the same warning signs as I saw the first go round. The first time I actually used the WLP equivalent, but I assume they are similar. I brewed a pale ale with the WLP first, and made a starter for it. I didn't see any activity in the starter for 3-4 days prior to brewing. I brewed the wort to spec and tossed in the starter anyways, figuring that if I didn't see any signs of fermentation within the first few days, I'd go grab a vial of 001 from the LBHS and salvage at least a drinkable beer. Well, it took nearly three days to start to ferment and it was very slow going. The end product was drinkable, but had a noticeable pungent "noble hop" scent to it (I added only fruity American hops), almost sulphury. I looked up the flaw, but I can't remember the culprit at the moment. I'm almost certain it wasn't infected.
Two days ago I whipped up another starter to pitch into a blonde ale on Saturday. I removed the pack from the fridge, smacked it and noted a noticeable swell by the time I pitched to the starter. Now, 36 hours later, not a peep from the starter. I'm experiencing deja vu, and I've purchased consdierable hops for this recipe (not characteristic of a blonde, I know). I don't want to waste them on a sub par beer.
Has anyone else run into this scenerio? Is it the yeast? Anyone with more experience with this yeast care to shed some light?
Two days ago I whipped up another starter to pitch into a blonde ale on Saturday. I removed the pack from the fridge, smacked it and noted a noticeable swell by the time I pitched to the starter. Now, 36 hours later, not a peep from the starter. I'm experiencing deja vu, and I've purchased consdierable hops for this recipe (not characteristic of a blonde, I know). I don't want to waste them on a sub par beer.
Has anyone else run into this scenerio? Is it the yeast? Anyone with more experience with this yeast care to shed some light?