What I learned: WLP 830 German Lager Starter

[rmiranda]

I made a 2L starter the other day with 1 package of White Labs 830 German yeast with 2 weeks until it expired. I wasn't worried until I noticed that it didn't have any activity going until the morning after I pitched. I was so close to dumping it.

Has anyone else experienced this with this strain or older packages of yeast?

 

[cswis86]

No activity in the starter? Lager yeast will have a longer lag time since they ferment at lower temperatures and older packages of yeast will have lower viability so nothing you experienced is abnormal.

 

[jmcquesten]

I made a 2L starter the other day with 1 package of White Labs 830 German yeast with 2 weeks until it expired. I wasn't worried until I noticed that it didn't have any activity going until the morning after I pitched. I was so close to dumping it.

Has anyone else experienced this with this strain or older packages of yeast?

I use that yeast and have had the same issue. I've seen it take a few days to get started. I've also had issues with starters that have sat in the fridge for a week due to timing issues and had the whole batch start slow...like 3-4 days with no activity at all. Maybe I'll give up on the strain and go to the southern German lager yeast (838?).

 

[catdaddy66]

Patience, grasshopper...