First yeast starter

[timeasterday]

Yesterday I pitched yeast into my first yeast starter. I used Omega Belgian Ale W which may be no good as it’s 6 months old. 24 hours later nothing is happening. Should I see anything at this point? I was planning on stepping it up again on Thursday.

 

[Omahawk]

You won’t always see any activity with starters, particularly if it’s a little older. Sometimes when there’s no activity, I can still detect a yeasty “beer is being made” smell that’s distinctly different than just plain old wort. Take a sniff and see if you detect that. I also sometimes will give the starter a shake, and see if I see some carbonation bubbles get released.

Your plan to step it up soon is solid. A 6 month old yeast packet should still be somewhat viable if you’ve kept it refrigerated. You will likely see a little more activity on your next starter. Good luck.

 

[flars]

Is this a shaken not stirred starter? Are you aerating every time you walk by? Is the starter wort at room temperature?

 

[timeasterday]

No smell of yeast at this point. All I smell is the wort. My fault for buying this yeast without paying attention to the date. The LHBS shouldn’t be selling 6 month old yeast.

 

[brewshki]

No smell of yeast at this point. All I smell is the wort. My fault for buying this yeast without paying attention to the date. The LHBS shouldn’t be selling 6 month old yeast.

in theory, there should be something still alive in there. was it 6 months after the manufacturing date or the best buy date?

 

[timeasterday]

I can only make out one date on the package: 06-17-2017. I think it says MFD next to that, I assume that’s the manufacture date.

 

[brewshki]

I wouldn't think the yeast in there would be completely gone by now. is it a smaller brew shop? is their turnover of ingredients not as high? you cooled the wort down before pitching correct?

 

[timeasterday]

It's a decent-sized shop, one of the few in the Columbus area. This is the 2nd time I have bought liquid yeast there and the 1st time the pack was 6 months old and the owner gave it to me for free. The owner wasn't there when I bought my 2nd pack and I don't think the person working there knew to look at the date. I did use an ice bath to cool down the wort. To stay on schedule I would need to put the starter in the fridge tonight and make a 2nd batch of wort on Thursday. I'm worried about chilling the starter if there's not enough activity. I might go ahead and buy more yeast online today just so I can get it before the weekend.

 

[balrog]

I've had older yeasts take 48 hrs in the starter to do their thing. Made me nervous and once it smelled like dead sneakers and I tossed it, but other old yeasts did their thing...eventually. It meant slower main ferment also and I always bought new when I ran into this. But a couple days to get a starter, um, started, I have done and seen.

 

[timeasterday]

This morning it was smelling slightly "yeasty" so maybe something is happening after 36 hours. Just in case I'll order more Belgian yeast. If I don't need it for this brew I can always do another Belgian in a few weeks. I love Belgian ales and don't mind having plenty around!

 

[flars]

Viability of the yeast may have been as low as 25% according to this pitch rate/starter calculator.
http://www.brewunited.com/yeast_calculator.php
When viability is low the growth phase is extended with less visible activity during this time. Hopefully growth will take off to be able to step up the starter in time for brew day.

Consider yeast harvesting from this brew for your next one. Simple harvest procedure begins with post #4.
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/forum/threads/simple-yeast-storage-procedure-with-photos.579350/

 

[timeasterday]

The LHBS owner said he would replace the yeast for free. He doesn't have the same Omega yeast in stock but he has some fresh Wyeast 3787 that will work. I think I will take the safe route and get the fresh 3787. But I'll keep going on this first starter and see what happens.