I was curious if anyone has experienced an egg smell with a WLP001 starter?
Most of the beers I brew use WLP001, and I've been washing yeast with success for a few months. I do a starter a few days before brew day, refrigerate and decant. In 6 or so starters like this I have never noticed a smell. On Sunday, when I went to decant the starter had an egg smell (not super strong, but present). I am fairly confident in my sanitation procedures, but didn't want to risk ruining a batch if the starter was infected. So, I threw it away and used a packet of dry yeast instead. (Note to self: always keep dry yeast on hand, just in case).
Reading through these forums, sounds like it may be normal to have an egg smell - depending on the yeast. Smelly lagers appear to be common. Curious about other's experience with WLP001 and if I should have used the yeast instead of throwing it away?
Most of the beers I brew use WLP001, and I've been washing yeast with success for a few months. I do a starter a few days before brew day, refrigerate and decant. In 6 or so starters like this I have never noticed a smell. On Sunday, when I went to decant the starter had an egg smell (not super strong, but present). I am fairly confident in my sanitation procedures, but didn't want to risk ruining a batch if the starter was infected. So, I threw it away and used a packet of dry yeast instead. (Note to self: always keep dry yeast on hand, just in case).
Reading through these forums, sounds like it may be normal to have an egg smell - depending on the yeast. Smelly lagers appear to be common. Curious about other's experience with WLP001 and if I should have used the yeast instead of throwing it away?
