rootbrewskies
Member
I'm not a heavy poster here, but I read alot and understand the wealth of knowledge on these boards. I've been brewing for a few years and have a few questions that I've read about but am still unclear on...sorry for the number of questions. It's just a bunch of annoying stuff I still don't understand.
1) Wort Aeration...I understand that yeast needs oxygen to do its job effectively. I'm confused by the addition of oxygen to wort at different times. I know it can give off flavors, but aerating wort seems to come just before adding yeast, so I'm unsure when the exposure to oxygen is actually going to cause the off flavors.
2) Yeast Starters, Yeast Washing, Yeast Cakes...
a. First, with regard to yeast starters, I haven't been religious about making a starter, mostly because I don't have the equipment and only do it when I have access to my friends. With this said, I've never had much of a problem. My yeast (whether it be dry or liquid) has never had much of an issue getting going, so really what is the added benefit. I know you will get a more vigorous fermentation, and that can be helpful on higher gravity beers, but does it do anything other than ensure your yeast is healthy before pitching?
b. With regard to washing yeast. I've never done it but going to try on my next batch. I've seen the illustrative descriptions on how to do it. I'm a little unsure of some of the process in the cleaning process.
first, when you let the yeast settle then pour off the liquid on top, will the yeast be relatively solid on the bottom, or is there a trick to pouring off the top liquid portion?
Once you have poured off the top portions and you have a few mason jars of washed yeast, do you combine the jars to have 1 full jar or do you have a few quarter full jars laying around?
When reusing, how much do you pitch and does this necessitate a starter?
Finally, I know people use yeast multiple times, I've heard of people on their 8th generation of yeast...does this mean it has been washed and reused 8 times?
Does the yeast get stronger/weaker with each generation?
How do you avoid off flavors when using the same yeast but making a different beer?
c. Yeast Cakes...what exactly does the term 'yeast cake' refer to?
1) Wort Aeration...I understand that yeast needs oxygen to do its job effectively. I'm confused by the addition of oxygen to wort at different times. I know it can give off flavors, but aerating wort seems to come just before adding yeast, so I'm unsure when the exposure to oxygen is actually going to cause the off flavors.
2) Yeast Starters, Yeast Washing, Yeast Cakes...
a. First, with regard to yeast starters, I haven't been religious about making a starter, mostly because I don't have the equipment and only do it when I have access to my friends. With this said, I've never had much of a problem. My yeast (whether it be dry or liquid) has never had much of an issue getting going, so really what is the added benefit. I know you will get a more vigorous fermentation, and that can be helpful on higher gravity beers, but does it do anything other than ensure your yeast is healthy before pitching?
b. With regard to washing yeast. I've never done it but going to try on my next batch. I've seen the illustrative descriptions on how to do it. I'm a little unsure of some of the process in the cleaning process.
first, when you let the yeast settle then pour off the liquid on top, will the yeast be relatively solid on the bottom, or is there a trick to pouring off the top liquid portion?
Once you have poured off the top portions and you have a few mason jars of washed yeast, do you combine the jars to have 1 full jar or do you have a few quarter full jars laying around?
When reusing, how much do you pitch and does this necessitate a starter?
Finally, I know people use yeast multiple times, I've heard of people on their 8th generation of yeast...does this mean it has been washed and reused 8 times?
Does the yeast get stronger/weaker with each generation?
How do you avoid off flavors when using the same yeast but making a different beer?
c. Yeast Cakes...what exactly does the term 'yeast cake' refer to?