ColumbusAmongus
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Feb 25, 2011
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I made a starter last night using White Labs Cal ale yeast. When I cracked the vial open, it fizzed quite a bit (which isn't too uncommon for white labs vials) but it had a hint of an odor that reminded me of a sour beer.
I went ahead with the starter to see what it would smell like when it was done. After ~ 12 hrs it looks normal and doesn't smell abnormal but I am a little skeptical of this vial having some sort of bacterial contamination.
The exp date is May 20 but I have had it in my fridge for about 2 months. I once had a vial that smelled of sulfur and that made a terrible beer but I didn't make a starter with it so I am on the fence whether to chance it or delay brewing to get a new vial.
Any thoughts / experience with this?
I went ahead with the starter to see what it would smell like when it was done. After ~ 12 hrs it looks normal and doesn't smell abnormal but I am a little skeptical of this vial having some sort of bacterial contamination.
The exp date is May 20 but I have had it in my fridge for about 2 months. I once had a vial that smelled of sulfur and that made a terrible beer but I didn't make a starter with it so I am on the fence whether to chance it or delay brewing to get a new vial.
Any thoughts / experience with this?