Harvesting yeast from kegs

Yuri_Rage · Aug 22, 2006

Has anyone had any success harvesting yeast from a keg of naturally carbonated beer? I just realized that I never grabbed any yeast from a particular batch, and the keg just emptied out. I'm quite familiar with yeast starters and harvesting from the primary, I've just never gathered the yeast from a kicked keg. Thanks for the help!

Trappist Artist · Aug 22, 2006

There should be some live yeast down there, if it's not too old. I say make a starter and see what happens.

P.s. I have no idea about mutation rates for yeast. Anyone else know?

Yuri_Rage · Aug 22, 2006

Trappist Artist said:
I have no idea about mutation rates for yeast. Anyone else know?

White Labs recommends 6-10 generations for their yeast. I've read other places that 2-3 generations is more reasonable for the average homebrewer. This would only be the second generation for this European Ale strain.

david_42 · Aug 22, 2006

Yeast mutants rapidly. Calling a batch a generation is wrong. A yeast generation is about two hours, so propagating through three batchs would be more like 20-25 generations. Staying in the guidelines doesn't mean there are no mutations, but it gives you a fairly good chance the mutants haven't taken over.

Yuri_Rage · Aug 22, 2006

I stand corrected about yeast generations. Thanks david_42!

:off:

On a different note, it's gonna take A LOT of persuading to get homebrewers to start using the the term "clearing tank." We'll work on that...

Desert_Sky · Aug 22, 2006

david_42 said:
Staying in the guidelines doesn't mean there are no mutations, but it gives you a fairly good chance the mutants haven't taken over.

I shall call it...Wolverine Ale

EdWort · Aug 22, 2006

Chimone said:
I shall call it...Wolverine Ale

And I shall call it...Magneto Mead

david_42 · Aug 22, 2006

Back to the OP: I haven't tried it, but you would be getting the least focculant yeast. This could be bad or good. It would certainly be simple, just toss a little cooled DME solution in the keg & shake. 24 hours later, shake again and spray into the wort.

Harvesting yeast from kegs

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Harvesting yeast from kegs

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