# Lager starter and krausen. **URL:** \ **Category:** Ingredients\ **Created:** [April 4, 2014, 2:43am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/lager-starter-and-krausen/16304 "2014-04-04T02:43:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![gmac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c6cbf5/32.png) [@gmac](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/gmac)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2014, 2:43am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/lager-starter-and-krausen/16304/1 "2014-04-04T02:43:00Z")
I had two vials of WLP833, one that was past the due date and one that was getting close. I pitched them both into a 1.5L starter of 1.035 OG wort. They took a while to show any evidence of fermentation on the stir plate but I crashed it yesterday, decanted after a few hours and then added a second dose of wort at the same concentration. I was thinking of doing this 3 times to get it built up to a reasonable amount. But this second one is showing no sign of activity. Could it be possible that when I decanted I dumped the good yeast and the dead yeast from the vials was what dropped out first?  Or, do lagers normally show very little activity. I know they start slower but I expected this to take off faster since it was already active? I will check the wort tomorrow to see if it tastes sweet still and maybe check it with a refractometer to see if it had dropped much. I know it’s not exact once it’s fermented but it should give me a feeling of progress. ---
**Author:** ![tschmidlin](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/tschmidlin/32/3857_2.png) [@tschmidlin](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/tschmidlin)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2014, 6:34am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/lager-starter-and-krausen/16304/2 "2014-04-04T06:34:58Z")
It’s hard to say.  Decanting after only a few hours could have been the problem, did it drop clear in that time? The dead yeast will drop out first, that’s for sure.  I would have expected the next round to start faster, but activity with lager yeast can be hard to judge.  I think you’re doing about the only thing you can do right now, I hope it works out. ---
**Author:** ![gmac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c6cbf5/32.png) [@gmac](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/gmac)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2014, 1:21pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/lager-starter-and-krausen/16304/3 "2014-04-04T13:21:11Z")
> [@tschmidlin](#): > > It’s hard to say.  Decanting after only a few hours could have been the problem, did it drop clear in that > The dead yeast will drop out first, that’s for sure.  I would have expected the next round to start faster, but activity with lager yeast can be hard to judge.  I think you’re doing about the only thing you can do right now, I hope it works out. It wasn’t crystal clear but it had dropped a lot. It was about 6 hrs in the fridge. ---
**Author:** ![ynotbrusum](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/ynotbrusum/32/10316_2.png) [@ynotbrusum](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/ynotbrusum)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2014, 6:58pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/lager-starter-and-krausen/16304/4 "2014-04-09T18:58:04Z")
For lagers, I typically make a small batch (2 gallons lightly hopped) to step up beers, because I have found that the lager yeast doesn’t drop clear quickly in starters and I am impatient with starters.  Beer that I will drink, on the other hand, I will be plenty patient with… Good luck with the lager - 833 is a good one for German beers, especially bocks. ---
**Author:** ![gmac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c6cbf5/32.png) [@gmac](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/gmac)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2014, 8:23pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/lager-starter-and-krausen/16304/5 "2014-04-09T20:23:52Z")
Thanks guys. I pitched it and saw activity in under 12 hrs and big action in 24 so I hope I had enough but it looks good. Bock planned for this yeast right after this is done, weather permitting. Need the garage to stay cold for a bit longer. ---
**Author:** ![jonhughey\_att.net](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/jonhughey_att.net/32/6277_2.png) [@jonhughey\_att.net](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/jonhughey_att.net)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2014, 9:38pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/lager-starter-and-krausen/16304/6 "2014-04-09T21:38:54Z")
> [@gmac](#): > > Thanks guys. I pitched it and saw activity in under 12 hrs and big action in 24 so I hope I had enough but it looks good. Sounds like you pitched enough to me!  Strong activity in that time frame doesn’t say underpitching (to me).