WLP 820 Blowoff?

After recently acquiring a mini fridge that I converted into an STC-controlled fermentation chamber, I immediately picked up the Northern Brewer Oktoberfest kit to test out the fridge. I chose White Labs 820 (Oktoberfest Lager) yeast, as I had always wanted to try someone other than WYeast and wanted one of those test tubes for storing yeast in the future.

Immediately after purchasing I realized that most reviews online warn people to stay clear of this yeast. Being that it was too late, I wanted to make the best of this situation, so I prepared a 2L starter, which is as big of a starter as I can currently do on my stir plate. I did not step up the starter like most recommend. Fortunately, this particular batch was less than a month old when I got it, and the starter finished out in less than 24 hours, contrary to popular opinion.

I pitched the starter at 11.6 Celsius (53F) and within 8 hours there was already visible signs of fermentation. Now, almost 2 days into the ferment, this batch looks like it may need a blowoff (6 gallon Better Bottle). I found this interesting, because I can not find a single person anywhere saying anything like this for this yeast, let alone almost any lager strain. Has anyone else had a similar experience? I am posting this so that others in the future can see that there is a wide variety of experience, and I am curious to see if I just got lucky. I even double checked my yeast vial to verify this is the yeast they sent me.

I should note that I was careful to calibrate my STC temperature probe in ice water, compared to my digital thermometer, so I feel confident the ambient temperature is accurate, and I taped my probe against the carboy wall with a peice of foam in between, so I am maintaining the external wall of the carboy at my desired temperature.

I should also mention that I even put a few drops of Fermcap in the carboy, yet it doesn't seem to be helping at all..

 

Not the same yeast exactly, but I just brewed with WLP830 (I think is a generation spinoff of 820?) and after about 12hrs my fermentation was vigorous as well... After about 24hrs a blowoff is for sure required, it's very lively! I am getting more than a bubble a second through my blowoff. Pitched at around 52-53F and fermenting at 51F.

I was also expecting a slower, less eventful fermentation. It may be my most lively so far.

I did pitch 2 vials plus a 1.8L starter. I planned on doing 1 vial plus a stepped starter, but I didn't have enough time to do so. I required around 420B cells for healthy fermentation.