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Did I ruin my starter?

Discussion in 'Beginners Beer Brewing Forum' started by Carl1783, Jan 15, 2018.

 

  1. #1
    Carl1783

    Member

    Posted Jan 15, 2018
    It’s my first time using wyeast. Made a starter, followed all the directions, covered it in a glass vessel. Then I got busy cleaning up and left it on the counter under the kitchen lights for two hours before I put it in a dark place. Is it still fine to brew with tomorrow? No sunlight got to it but the overhead lights are bright in my kitchen. Local store doesn’t carry this strain of yeast so I’d have to reorder online.
     
  2. #2
    jheinikel

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Jan 15, 2018
    It’s fine. Just make sure you decant the liquid as that’s not very tasty under any circumstances.
     
  3. #3
    stieg000

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Jan 15, 2018
    It doesn't matter, I make starters on my kitchen table with a stir plate every time. Only thing I have to worry about is my kids turning it off early.
     
  4. #4
    allanmorgan

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Jan 15, 2018
    You should be ok to brew tomorrow. Throw it into the fridge for the night. Take it out a few hours before you brew, decant and pitch when ready.
     
  5. #5
    JimRausch

    JimRMaine  

    Posted Jan 15, 2018
    Remember, the skunky aroma and flavor from light exposure comes from a reaction with the hops. No hops in your starter= no problem.
     
    RM-MN, parrothead64 and flars like this.
  6. #6
    jheinikel

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Jan 15, 2018
    Didn’t know that was the source of light skunking beer. TIL
     
  7. #7
    SEndorf

    Supporting Member  

    Posted Jan 15, 2018
    Breweries don't run production in the dark.
    No worries.
     
  8. #8
    RM-MN

    Supporting Member  

    Posted Jan 15, 2018
    Two things, one of which was pointed out already. For light to skunk beer it has to have hops in it because the skunkiness comes from light changing the structure of the hop oils. The second factor is that it take not just light but UV light. The UV light that causes the skunkiness is the same as what gives you a tan in the summer. In other words, it has to be fairly strong UV or for a long time. You kitchen lights don't have strong UV and what it might have would take days or weeks even to skunk beer. Your starter will be fine.
     
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