Did my wlp099 starter start?

[banik]

More generally, how do you tell if a starter has successfully grown?

I did a pair if starters (my first) last week that had krausen, etc, so that was pretty obvious.

I have two wlp099 (super high gravity yeast) starters from 12 hours ago, and neither have krausen, etc.

The best-by date is 4 months ago.

How can I tell if my yeasties are happy?

*edit*
1.6L starters at 1.040 in erlenmeyers- one on a stir plate, one shaken and sitting (my other stir bar is in one of my fermenters...)

 

[azscoob]

Check the gravity, if it dropped they worked

 

[Bierliebhaber]

More generally, how do you tell if a starter has successfully grown?

1) Check gravity
2)Look at it. Did krausen form (not all SUCCESSFUL starters form krausen)?
3)Look at it. Has it changed from a semi-transparent/translucent liquid to an opaque creamy looking liquid?
4)Look at it. Are there more yeast in there than you put in there?

 

[banik]

Well, after starting at 1.040, 12 hours later it's at 1.030...

Took it off the stir plate for awhile, and I can see signs of fermentation, but it seems like such a small drop in gravity means that it wouldn't be a great idea to pitch it in to a 1.102 beer...

No brewing for me today... But I will have to have a talk with the folks are the LHBS about giving me yeast 4 months past its best-by date...

 

[kapbrew13]

Well, after starting at 1.040, 12 hours later it's at 1.030...

Took it off the stir plate for awhile, and I can see signs of fermentation, but it seems like such a small drop in gravity means that it wouldn't be a great idea to pitch it in to a 1.102 beer...

No brewing for me today... But I will have to have a talk with the folks are the LHBS about giving me yeast 4 months past its best-by date...

You should give it a minimum of 24 hours. As Revvy states, krausen doesn't mean anything. I never get krausen with my stir plate but I do get a nice layer of yeast after a 24 hours on the stir plate and a day in the fridge. I stick it in the fridge so I can decant the extra liquid. You should tell the lhbs to sell the older yeast at a big discount or give it to you for free.

 

[ChillWill]

It's older so it'll take longer. Keep it on the stir plate and it'll get there eventually.

 

[banik]

Thanks guys, and possibly gals- that's the plan.

I'm going to cold crash over night, and do another pair of starters tomorrow.

I might have to take a brew-day off work this week once the starters get happy enough.