My Wyeast Czech Pils starter was crashed in the fridge at 36 degrees F. Decanted about 1/2 oz this morning, for a taste. It is not bad, but does not taste the way I anticipated. It does not smell like the yeast after the smack-pack was opened, and it smells different from any other starter we have ever used. Plus…here is the strange phenomenon…it is carbonated! Bubbly! Very fine bubbles, almost fizzy. Not champagne like, but still lots of bubbles. What’s up with that?
Note that it is in a one gallon glass jug, that was sterilized prior to use.
I can’t recall making a starter that wasn’t fizzy.
I get different amounts of fizz with different yeasts. Last weekend I made a starter with WLP095 Burlington yeast and it was a champagne-like fizz after about 12 hours. Other yeasts I have to close one eye and lean in real close to my Erlenmeyer flask to see any bubbles after 12 hours. But yes, there should be some level of carbonation in a starter.
Good to know, as this is what we had.
Made many starters over the years, guess I just never noticed the level of carbonation before.