Can anyone tell me what yeast problems I can test for with agar growth media?

[Elysium]

I am planning to start a small laboratory in my house. (an inexpensive one...on my table basically).

1st thing I'd like to use is test my beer with a growth media for yeast problems......after fermentation and after bottle-carbing.

Can anyone tell me a bit about these? How they are done....where shall I start?
I already have the book "Yeast" that has good info....but the all the items that are listed there are expensive.
I need a DIY style simple way to test for bacteria, wild yeast and yeast problems.

Thanks.

P.S. links to tutorials are more than welcome.

 

[jro238]

This writeup seems to offer some good advice on detecting wild yeast.
http://morebeer.com/brewingtechniques/library/backissues/issue2.6/allen.html

I assume by 'yeast problems' you mean issues with your selected yeast strain? If so, the flavor of your beer is probably the cheapest and easiest way to tell. If you notice increased lag time, longer fermentations (for beers with the same OG), majorly increased or decreased flocculation, or of course off flavors in the final product then you might be seeing a few problems.