4 layers when harvesting yeast

[asherrd9980]

I've harvested yeast several times now and haven't run into this yet. It looks like a layer of yeast on top, then beer, then a real think layer of yeast, then trub. The other mason jar I collected from the fermenter had a full layer on top. The yeast is 1332. What do you guys think?

 

[BBL_Brewer]

Looks like yeast. How long did the beer ferment before you harvested? Maybe the krasen hadn't all the way sunk back in when you racked the beer. Krausen does float.

 

[fearwig]

Until you fridge it for a bit, usually. So fridge it. Looks like normal yeast activity to me.

 

[fearwig]

Awesome jars, by the way, I didn't know they made them like that.

 

[asherrd9980]

I know it looks like a krausen. Weird part is it had 2 weeks in the primary and the krausen was down for about a week. Also, I harvested the yeast on Sunday. Been in the fridge since

 

[asherrd9980]

mason jars are just the standard wide mouth from Target

 

[fearwig]

My wide mouth quart jars don't look like that, they look like this:

Yours looks like two wide mouth pint jars on top of each other, much taller:

Apparently it's called a "1 1/2 pt. wide mouth". Better for separation, definitely. Good to know!

 

[fearwig]

Anyway I was going to say if you shake it and fridge it again, I'm sure it would recombine with the rest of the yeast and trub, but I would just pour it off and not worry, since I really don't think that's any sign of an infection. But it could be if you stored it like that for a long time, since it's exposed to air (not under the liquid, like the rest). Sort of like how yogurt only goes bad if part of it sticks out above the whey.

 

[Beer-lord]

My darker beers do the same thing to me. The yeast is just harder to see. I usually keep a jar or two of boiled and chilled water in the fridge, decant and add the water, shake and sit in the fridge 2 days. Then I see what I normally see.