How do I know if I made a successful starter?

[xxkiskekyxx]

My sanitation was good and I followed procedure. I'm not sure I have enough air space but I'll try to shake more often. In any case how do I know after all is said and done that I made a successful starter and it wont ruin my batch of beer with contaminants? Is there not a good way to tell?

 

[ravhawk2000]

Your starter will start to bubble and ferment just as if your fermentation chamber will once you pitch the yeast. It shouldn't take too long for it to happen. You are basically creating an unhopped wort and making the yeast become active and multiply.

 

[spenghali]

Just think of is as a mini batch of beer. Taste your starter before you pitch it to make sure it doesn't taste "off." You should see a krausen or at least a krausen ring and a yeast cake start to build up on the bottom.