ericbw
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This is for the discussion about how long yeast will last.
In 2013, I harvested yeast from an Ommegang, and I've used it to brew a few batches. I save the yeast and store it in a jar, refrigerated. It separates really nicely.
This summer, I didn't get a chance to brew with it, so I decided to refresh it just to keep it alive. I made an 800 ml starter and added 70 ml of yeast (that's double the amount in a White Labs vial). I put it on the stir plate on Tuesday. No activity for about 60 hours. Today it finally is foaming.
I am guessing that there was a very small amount of viable yeast, which has now reproduced enough to start fermenting. Whew!
I'll let this run till it stops foaming, then cold crash and decant it, and then do one more step to grow more yeast. I'll make a gallon batch of something strong to drink in February, and I'll have a lot of yeast for summer brewing.
In 2013, I harvested yeast from an Ommegang, and I've used it to brew a few batches. I save the yeast and store it in a jar, refrigerated. It separates really nicely.
This summer, I didn't get a chance to brew with it, so I decided to refresh it just to keep it alive. I made an 800 ml starter and added 70 ml of yeast (that's double the amount in a White Labs vial). I put it on the stir plate on Tuesday. No activity for about 60 hours. Today it finally is foaming.
I am guessing that there was a very small amount of viable yeast, which has now reproduced enough to start fermenting. Whew!
I'll let this run till it stops foaming, then cold crash and decant it, and then do one more step to grow more yeast. I'll make a gallon batch of something strong to drink in February, and I'll have a lot of yeast for summer brewing.