Yeast Blow Off from Opening Vial

[1854huwer]

Began a yeast starter today for a high gravity beer (~1.08) using WLP530. I had to shake the vial several times to loosen up the yeast. I tried ever so slowly to open the vial cap, but I know I lost yeast in the process. I have no clue how much. Do I have cause for concern, since I’m using a starter or should I tried to get a additional yeast the next day when the store is open?

Thanks

 

[b-boy]

That happens all the time. It's one of the reasons I like the smack packs. You have to crack the vial cap a tiny bit to release the CO2 before opening.

If you're making a starter you should be fine. If you're worried, just step it up and make a slightly bigger starter. Since it's a bigger beer, it can't hurt.

 

[1854huwer]

Thanks b-boy. Starter size is apprx 1.6 liters..

 

[daksin]

I guess it depends on how much you lost. A few drops? 10mL? Half?

 

[slobrewer85]

I lost a little over half my yeast starter and freaked out. My brew store was closed the next two days so I had to wait it out. I had an awesome fermentation. Wild yeast can reproduce numerous times, but most brewer's yeast only reproduces three or four times, but from my recent experience, it seems like everything looks normal as long as you get about half of the good stuff in there.