Hey all, not new to brewing but I am to storing yeast slurry. I'll make this as short as possible. I collected 3 mason jars full of yeast slurry (BRY 97) from bottom of a batch of IPA OG 1.060 (didn't wash the yeast). Filled it almost to the top of each (I did sterilize via boil prior, except flat disc portion of lid with the gummy seal for fear heat would damage it, so dipped in Star san). They were stored in fridge at about 32F.
- 2 wks after collecting, I pitched one jar into Yoopers pale ale and it did great. Beer was awesome (as usual).
- 4 wks after collecting, second jar went into a bells two hearted clone. I had shaken the jar up to get yeast unstuck from the sides and when opened, it started expanding over the rim quickly, dumped it in quickly and chalked it up to the agitation causing the expansion. I just kegged the IPA and it looks and tastes great on sample.
- So now I am ~6wks post collecting and and brewing this weekend, I looked at my final jar and noticed the small amt of clear beer that was at the top for weeks was now at the bottom, and the slurry above it was bubblier looking and part of the lid was bulging
I took it outside and opened it, the slurry came slithering out quite a bit. I tossed it. It didn't smell or infected at all. I did some research and Wyeast says to leave adequate head space to allow for yeast expansion when storing it? But elsewhere I hear people say fill up all air space in the container.
For those of you experienced in storing slurry (not washed yeast), does this sound infection related or is it common for expansion like this (to the point of bulging the metal lid a bit)?? I'm going to use US-05 this weekend and try it again with more head space just to see.
- 2 wks after collecting, I pitched one jar into Yoopers pale ale and it did great. Beer was awesome (as usual).
- 4 wks after collecting, second jar went into a bells two hearted clone. I had shaken the jar up to get yeast unstuck from the sides and when opened, it started expanding over the rim quickly, dumped it in quickly and chalked it up to the agitation causing the expansion. I just kegged the IPA and it looks and tastes great on sample.
- So now I am ~6wks post collecting and and brewing this weekend, I looked at my final jar and noticed the small amt of clear beer that was at the top for weeks was now at the bottom, and the slurry above it was bubblier looking and part of the lid was bulging
I took it outside and opened it, the slurry came slithering out quite a bit. I tossed it. It didn't smell or infected at all. I did some research and Wyeast says to leave adequate head space to allow for yeast expansion when storing it? But elsewhere I hear people say fill up all air space in the container.
For those of you experienced in storing slurry (not washed yeast), does this sound infection related or is it common for expansion like this (to the point of bulging the metal lid a bit)?? I'm going to use US-05 this weekend and try it again with more head space just to see.