Yeast starter looks strange--advice needed

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1

I’ve got a yeast starter going on a stir plate, which I’ve done many  times in the past, but this time, it looks like chunks whirling around in the flask.  I’ve never seen that happen before, usually it’s a consistent caramel color whirling around.  Since my last batch went south due to yeast problems, it’s time to ask for help.

I started the yeast about 7pm Monday evening, planning to brew this morning.  I added 2 smack packs, one of them with a July date, one with a January date.  1300 ML of water to make a starter for 10 gallons.

This morning, I turned the stir plate off, waited for everything to settle, and it looks like solid yeast in the bottom of the flask. Turned the plate back on, and sure enough, the solid pack of what looks like yeast creates chunks that float and whirl around.

Is this problematic, or the best yeast starter I’ve ever made?

2

It’s fine, that’s what more flocculant yeasts look like.  You’re probably just using a British ale yeast.  :slight_smile:

3

That’s correct!  Thanks for the advice.

4

I got that with WLP002 and thought I screwed up with my sanitation. However, the vial kind of looked the same way.

5

The White Labs samples often seem more “chunky” out of the vial compared to the Wyeast smack packs.  I don’t seem a big difference after a starter is made.

6

Normal,
WY1968 looks like cottage cheese or a major snow globe blizzard!

7

+1 - It really is mesmerizing to watch 1968 at work in a carboy.

8

+2

9

Water?

10

I started the yeast about 7pm Monday evening, planning to brew this morning.  I added 2 smack packs, one of them with a July date, one with a January date.  1300 ML of water to make a starter for 10 gal

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Water, or wort?