White Labs Yeast Vault

[bierhaus15]

It is worth noting that most ale yeasts can ferment maltose up to 37C (98F) and that is one test used to distinguish ale v. lager; they tend to start to die off at 120F and are completely killed by 140F.

That said, viability at elevated temps is short and is dependent on glycogen reserves. Boulton shows most stored yeast depleting their glycogen reserves by day 8 when stored at >68F and viability starts to drop significantly after that. Even though I got high viability in the vials, given the duration and temp of shipping, I'd imagine the yeast are pretty starved. I would not store hot-shipped vials for long after you receive them.

 

[ba-brewer]

It is worth noting that most ale yeasts can ferment maltose up to 37C (98F) and that is one test used to distinguish ale v. lager; they tend to start to die off at 120F and are completely killed by 140F.

That said, viability at elevated temps is short and is dependent on glycogen reserves. Boulton shows most stored yeast depleting their glycogen reserves by day 8 when stored at >68F and viability starts to drop significantly after that. Even though I got high viability in the vials, given the duration and temp of shipping, I'd imagine the yeast are pretty starved. I would not store hot-shipped vials for long after you receive them.

How long do you think would be a safe amount of time to store the vials before making a starter?

In the past I have pretty much made a starter within a day or two of getting the vials, but if I get a few at once I am not sure I will be able to do that.

I plan to slant the vault yeasts, if the yeast is potentially depleted of reserves would be better to slant from the starter vs from the vial slurry?

I know there is potential for contamination by using the starter as the source but the yeast would be better shape.

 

[kmarkstevens]

Chris White doesn't write but he did deliver on the Opshaug yeast. Just checked the mailbox and it landed sometime in the past 24 hours along with an ice pack. Given that between san Diego and Seattle, it hasn't exceed 80F, I think this should be fine to toss in the fridge and fire up in a few weeks when the thermometer breaks 80F here in Seattle.

No word on the other 4 yeasties I have on order from the vault purge. I was charged on 9 July for English ales: 13, 17, 26 and 85. I have an English AK ready to go tomorrow, so hopefully a Saturday delivery is in my cards. Otherwise, the back up plan is Southwold from my yeast library.

 

[bierhaus15]

How long do you think would be a safe amount of time to store the vials before making a starter?

It's hard to know exactly, but I'd use them within a month, or two at the most, if they they were shipped hot. Regardless, you should definitely be making stirred, oxygenated starters with these yeasts. I am also slanting these yeast; my process is to pull a loopful of slurry from the vial, propagate in 10 ml sterile wort tubes and make slants from that. I am also plating the yeast to check the colonies, but that is not really necessary.

 

[ba-brewer]

Thanks @bierhaus15. I did my slants from the vial slurry, but a little starter seems like it would be a better starting point from a possible compromised vials.

I do the small 10mL starter for re-slanting as I think I read something in the yeast book about using yeast that had been propagated in wort.

 

[BrewingAroundtheRrealm]

Has anyone received their vials of WLP665, WLP611 or WLP076 from the Vault clearance? I never received a shipping notification for those. All of the other orders have arrived.

I did email White Labs for an update. Have not heard back yet.

 

[cyberbackpacker]

I ordered 9 vault strains, and I am still waiting on 5 strains (WLP022, WLP026, WLP033, WLP038, and WLP076); I have been charged for these remaining five but have not received any information from Chris White/White Labs since the charge.

Now of course I leave for vacation for 10 days next week-- probably exactly when these things will arrive, Murphy's Law and all that!

Quite frustrated now really... the first five strains I thought got to me in a fairly expeditious manner, all things considered. These last four though...

Edit: actually only received 4 of 9 strains so far! Also, I emailed white labs and zero communication/update as of this moment.

 

[BrewingAroundtheRrealm]

I talked to a CSR at White Labs earlier this evening. Their next target for shipping Vault orders is 7/29. I do not know if that is all remaining orders. WLP076 is on the list to ship on or around 7/29. Over all they are back logged with Vault orders. Their exact words were "Trying to get them all out is a little much "

 

[kmarkstevens]

@BrewingAroundtheRrealm thanks for the update. I got the Opshaug, but waiting on 13, 17, 26 and 85.

 

[cyberbackpacker]

@kmarkstevens interesting you are still waiting on WLP026 as I got mine over a week ago...?!?

 

[BrewingAroundtheRrealm]

If you reply to the original "Your payment has been received" email, a CSR will reply with an update. That is what I have done several times. They usually get back to you in a few hours.

 

[bierhaus15]

And the numbers for the WLP025 Southwold vial... 6.05*10^8 and 92.15% viable. Not too terrible since it was shipped during the hottest part of the month, but would definitely need a starter, regardless of gravity.

 

[kmarkstevens]

If you reply to the original "Your payment has been received" email, a CSR will reply with an update. That is what I have done several times. They usually get back to you in a few hours.

Didn't work for me. I just got a template reply that "your yeast will be shipping out soon. Keep an eye out for an email with your tracking information."

 

[BrewingAroundtheRrealm]

Didn't work for me. I just got a template reply that "your yeast will be shipping out soon. Keep an eye out for an email with your tracking information."

I believe that "Your Vault Strains are about to ship out!" email from this afternoon was sent to everyone. I received that twice on two different email accounts. One of which I did not use to contact them yesterday.

 

[ba-brewer]

I did not get one of those emails.

I am also waiting for my wlp026 even though I was charged for it a few weeks back.

 

[BrewingAroundtheRrealm]

I did not get one of those emails.

I am also waiting for my wlp026 even though I was charged for it a few weeks back.

I take that back then.

 

[deadwolfbones]

I got the email.

 

[kmarkstevens]

Either way, it's a pisser. I NEED my new yeasties. I've got a cyser that just might finish with some residual sugar at around 1003. Also have a 1933 Kidd AK that wants to be split with 013, 017 and 026.

 

[ba-brewer]

I take that back then.

I may have spoken too soon, just got 5 "Your Yeast Order is Being Shipped!" emails for my remaining selections.

 

[cyberbackpacker]

Me too @ba-brewer! Now I just hope to get some actual tracking numbers so I can make arrangements to have someone collect these from my mail and get them refrigerated while I am on vacation-- spending 7-10 days on my porch in 90F heat is not something I want to happen!

 

[kmarkstevens]

@ba-brewer and @cyberbackpacker I just got updated that my 4 yeasties are "your order is being shipped" which is a good upgrade from the afternoon email.

Actually, they sent 5 different emails with WLP011 being listed twice. They only charged me once so I'm good if there is an extra one. I'm keeping an eye out although "heat wave" in seattle generally means it might break 80F.

 

[ba-brewer]

Glad it looks like all of the yeast is coming at once (if they truly do get shipped) but I also would of not minded if they trickled a strain or two at a time.

I put the wlp025 Southwold ale yeast to use this week and it cranked thru the 1050 wort in four days, the last refract sample looks to be better than 75% attenuation.

edit: wlp025 finished at 79% attenuation

 

[couchsending]

Did anyone get any wlp030? Been dying to try that yeast for a while now. Would take some slurry, pay for it, trade some yeast, beer, whatever.

 

[ba-brewer]

Did anyone get any wlp030? Been dying to try that yeast for a while now. Would take some slurry, pay for it, trade some yeast, beer, whatever.

I just checked and wlp030 is available via yeastman online ordering.

As a general note there is probably all of the vault strains available now or soon if you ask customer service.

If you don't want to go that route what do you got to trade?​

 

[cyberbackpacker]

I just received WLP022 and WLP026. Unlike previous yeasts I have received, these were actually sent First Class Mail instead of Parcel Post. And the vial and pouch were also still cool to the touch!

As for the yeast--- WLP026 is crazy! The entire vial is almost entirely full of thick, compact yeast; there seems to be hardly any liquid. It is the weirdest thing I have ever seen from a pitchable yeast vial/pouch!

I'll try and post a pic later.

 

[kmarkstevens]

oooh, oooh, oooh, I've got WLP026 on order. Hope it is here soon

 

[ba-brewer]

Received wlp022 and wlp026 today, 77F inside the pouch felt cool compared to ambient. They shipped on 7/25 late in the day, did not get any indications from "informed delivery".

The yeast and beer in the tube looked a bit lighter than past shipments.

 

[cyberbackpacker]

I did not receive any email notifications on the yeast I received either; on previous shipments I have received an email with tracking information-- not so on these two.

 

[yourlastchance89]

I've received shipping emails on all mine and have received five out of six of my strains. The packaging seems to have changed with my last strain which is nice since it now too bulky to sit and cook in the mailbox and it was sitting on my doorstep.

 

[yourlastchance89]

I'm doing a similar process. Every strain is revitalized with a series of low gravity starters, it is then plated and the slurry I am freezing in a glycerin solution.

It's hard to know exactly, but I'd use them within a month, or two at the most, if they they were shipped hot. Regardless, you should definitely be making stirred, oxygenated starters with these yeasts. I am also slanting these yeast; my process is to pull a loopful of slurry from the vial, propagate in 10 ml sterile wort tubes and make slants from that. I am also plating the yeast to check the colonies, but that is not really necessary.