Harvesting yeast

[jzamora3]

So I read this article:

https://www.homebrewersassociation.org/forum/index.php?topic=19850.0

And it made sense why you wouldn't want to wash the yeast. Well I tried it today when I bottled my milk stout. I used Dannys favorite yeast from wyeast and transfered it with about 1/2 gallon of extra beer into a container for the yeast to separate and now I can't tell what layers are what. Can you guys help me identity which part I need to transfer over to my mason jars? Thanks!

 

[tomsan]

I think you want the middle layer.

The top layer is beer and the bottom layer is hop solids etc. The middle layer is yeast in suspension....I think.

 

[Monty91]

This thread should help

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f163/yeast-washing-illustrated-41768/

 

[Monty91]

This thread should help

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f163/yeast-washing-illustrated-41768/

 

[WoodlandBrew]

When I've done viability staining it showed that all layers were the same. It's all good yeast.

Details here:
http://www.woodlandbrew.com/2012/12/yeast-washing-exposed.html

Water washing is commonly used in laboratory protocols to remove the alcohol after propagation, but all the suspended material remains.

 

[m00ps]

In the future, try harvesting yeast from the starter. Its much easier and you get fresh yeast that havent been exposed to hops and stress from a higher OG fermentation

 

[rafaelpinto]

How long can u store the washed yeast in the fridge?

 

[Watzee]

In the future, try harvesting yeast from the starter. Its much easier and you get fresh yeast that havent been exposed to hops and stress from a higher OG fermentation

Do this. I learned from the Brulosopher. Google his name and look up Harvesting Yeast on his website. I'll never look back.

 

[WoodlandBrew]

Yeast is fine in the fridge for months. Here is some information:
http://www.woodlandbrew.com/2012/12/refrigeration-effects-on-yeast-viability.html

I'm currently doing a more detailed experiment on yeast storage and looking at fermentation performance in addition to viability, but it's going to take some time.