yeast bank from smack pack

[mtags]

I'm planning to start a yeast bank this weekend from a smack pack of wyeast.

Should I extract the yeast from the smack pack and put it directly into my yeast bank jars, or should I create a starter first, extract the yeast from the starter, and put that into the yeast bank jars?

I'm planning to use baby food jars. Is there a problem with using a larger container than the recommended 15ml containers I have seen in other threads? I don't plan on filling the jars completely full, so would air in the jar be a problem?

I plan to use the yeast in a batch of beer in 1 1/2 weeks. So my current plan is to create a starter from the smack pack, harvest the yeast and store in jars, freeze all the jars except 1. Create another starter using the one unfrozen jar. Does this sound like the right thing to do?

 

[ifishsum]

I think your plan is exactly what I would do. Well, maybe not the part about waiting a week and a half to brew your next batch, I try to brew every week

 

[passedpawn]

I'm planning to start a yeast bank this weekend from a smack pack of wyeast.

Should I extract the yeast from the smack pack and put it directly into my yeast bank jars, or should I create a starter first, extract the yeast from the starter, and put that into the yeast bank jars?

Both ways work, and I have done it both ways. But I now believe it is far better to freeze right out of the smackpack. So, I make 10 frozen vials with 10ml each, and that leaves about 25ml for my starter. To explain, I believe that yeast that has been in an alcohol environment has been stressed. So, to ensure the strongest yeast from my frozen yeast bank, I take it right out of the smack pack. Probably less chance of contamination this way, too.

I'm planning to use baby food jars. Is there a problem with using a larger container than the recommended 15ml containers I have seen in other threads? I don't plan on filling the jars completely full, so would air in the jar be a problem?

Hmmm. Don't know on this one. Probably not a problem. The space would be prohibitive for me. I suggest you take a look on ebay for "centrifuge tubes". 15ml. I am sure you can get 100 for $20, probably free shipping. They are re-usable. You can get a lot of them into a kids insulated lunchbox, which then fits nicely into a freezer compartment.

I plan to use the yeast in a batch of beer in 1 1/2 weeks. So my current plan is to create a starter from the smack pack, harvest the yeast and store in jars, freeze all the jars except 1. Create another starter using the one unfrozen jar. Does this sound like the right thing to do?

Have you figured out your pitch rate? You need to start counting cells and determine if you need a "2-step" starter to get the pitch rate you need.

You need to freeze with glycerine/glycerol. It needs to be added to the yeast fluid in the appropriate ratio (about 15%). So don't fill up those baby food jars!