MNBugeater
Well-Known Member
In an attempt to harvest some Pacman yeast for a DGA clone this weekend, I emptied 4 bombers of Rogue Shakespeare stout and collected the bottom 1/3-1/4 inch from the bottles. 2 bottles each in 2 flasks. I added the yeast/sludge to about 1 Cup of wort starter and placed the flasks on stir plates Monday evening.
Tuesday morning I noticed a little foam on top but didn't notice an appreciable amount of yeast. I checked again about 24 hours into the process and no change. Slight foam. Didn't know if this was from yeast reproduction or just aeration from the stir plate. But again no visible yeast.
I came home from work on Wednesday afternoon and still no change. I turned off the stir plates giving up hope and figured I would try it again someday but that there just wasn't enough yeast in those bottles to harvest.
I went back in the fermenting room to get the flasks later than night to clean them and noticed obvious signs of fermentation. I looked at the bottom of the flasks and there was a nice thin film of yeast. Success...small, but success.
I shook the hell out of the flask to get the yeast back in suspension and put them back on the stir plate. I plan on adding more wort tonight to step up the starter and hope to pitch them this weekend.
Lesson Learned...be patient when harvesting commercial yeast.
Tuesday morning I noticed a little foam on top but didn't notice an appreciable amount of yeast. I checked again about 24 hours into the process and no change. Slight foam. Didn't know if this was from yeast reproduction or just aeration from the stir plate. But again no visible yeast.
I came home from work on Wednesday afternoon and still no change. I turned off the stir plates giving up hope and figured I would try it again someday but that there just wasn't enough yeast in those bottles to harvest.
I went back in the fermenting room to get the flasks later than night to clean them and noticed obvious signs of fermentation. I looked at the bottom of the flasks and there was a nice thin film of yeast. Success...small, but success.
I shook the hell out of the flask to get the yeast back in suspension and put them back on the stir plate. I plan on adding more wort tonight to step up the starter and hope to pitch them this weekend.
Lesson Learned...be patient when harvesting commercial yeast.