I just finished a yeast starter for my American IPA partial mash from my LHBS. It's sitting on top of my fridge now (it's a glass 1000ml beaker). I just noticed some black stuff on the bottom of the beaker. It looks like little black grains of sand. They do not cover the entire bottom tho.
My guess is that either some of the DME mini wort for the yeast starter had some caramelization OR the pot I used to boil it was perhaps unclean with gunk in it. I'm leaning towards the first one as I tend to be s neat freak and clean well and check EVERYTHING.
What I'm hoping to find out is if this has happened to anyone else? If so, what is it?
Edit: should I start over? I used White labs California Ale liquid yeast. The IPA recipe called for it (and I am still a newb... Only about 5 brews in), but I have a Wyeast Smack Pack American Ale yeast. Just wondering if this is worth risking putting in my beer?
All help is appreciated!!
My guess is that either some of the DME mini wort for the yeast starter had some caramelization OR the pot I used to boil it was perhaps unclean with gunk in it. I'm leaning towards the first one as I tend to be s neat freak and clean well and check EVERYTHING.
What I'm hoping to find out is if this has happened to anyone else? If so, what is it?
Edit: should I start over? I used White labs California Ale liquid yeast. The IPA recipe called for it (and I am still a newb... Only about 5 brews in), but I have a Wyeast Smack Pack American Ale yeast. Just wondering if this is worth risking putting in my beer?
All help is appreciated!!
