Cool, something else to eventually dive into. I skimmed it on "How to brew" by Palmer and it just looks like a lot of extra work. But, doing something else that will eventually lead to better beer is something good to learn.
I just wonder why then on they liquid, Wyeast, smack packages they specifically say "ready to pitch"?
http://***********/stories/recipes/article/indices/58-yeast/1258-plunge-into-liquid-yeast
You could pitch this teaspoon or so of actively fermenting yeast directly to your wort. In fact the package directions might tell you to do just that. Many brewers (including yours truly) did it that way on the first batch or two using liquid yeast. But experienced brewers caution against it. A better plan is to make a starter culture--to create a larger volume of active yeast cells for pitching. And making a starter is a must if you plan to use BrewTek, Yeast Culture Kit, or Yeast Lab products, packaged in the test tube without the sterile wort
activator.
Using a starter culture will increase the number of viable yeast cells you pitch into your wort, decreasing your chances of infection by encouraging a fast start of fermentation.
So, next question, what is your method of making a starter?
Awesome, did you make your stir plate or buy it somewhere?
I've been wondering how to get yeast from commercial beers. Thats interesting. So, how long will the 3 mason jars of yeast you got last? Do you refrigerate them?
Back to your post where you linked me to the byo.com website. I read through that article and the directions there about making a starter don't include using a stir plate or flask. Which is the better method?
And what size flask do you use?
So then, typically which are better, dry yeast or the liquid yeast? Because when I order them, it is 5+ dollars more to get liquid yeast.
So when we talk about a "1 liter starter", is that 1 liter of yeast "sludge", or 1 liter total (including the sludge and the beer). If it's the former, a 1 liter starter would have to be made in a much bigger container, no?
Are you talking about liquid or dry yeast?
If it's dry you don't need a starter, though many recommend re-hydrating.
I finally got everything I needed and started yesterday trying to harvest the yeast from some Hoegarden. It has been on the stirplate now for more than a day. Should I be seeing some white buildup on the bottom? Because so far I have seen nothing but some foam on top.
Still wondering about this. Now it looks like I have just been spinning crap in a flask for several days now?
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