So,
I did my first starter with a batch of Wyeast 1028 London ale. I was careful with sanitizing the starter, it had a nice little layer of krausen and smelled fine when I pitched it. Used Mr. Malty to determine the size. The package of yeast was a few months old, manufactured early November. The beer I'm making is a Chocolate Porter. About 10 lb of British pale malt, with some crystal, chocolate malt, roasted barley, and a little black patent. I added 5 oz of ghirardelli cocoa at 15 min in the boil, and an ounce of chocolate bar at 45. OG was 1.057.
I've read that starters should take right off fermenting, mine took about 12 hours to do anything. It bubbled a bit for a day, now there's very little bubbling (watched the airlock for about 20 seconds with nothing). I poured a sample to check gravity and I'm at 1.016 already (2 days). The sample tastes like paint thinner. really gross.
Im gonna let it sit a few weeks, but was wondering if this is normal, or if i should pitch another pack of yeast or anyting.
Thanks!
I did my first starter with a batch of Wyeast 1028 London ale. I was careful with sanitizing the starter, it had a nice little layer of krausen and smelled fine when I pitched it. Used Mr. Malty to determine the size. The package of yeast was a few months old, manufactured early November. The beer I'm making is a Chocolate Porter. About 10 lb of British pale malt, with some crystal, chocolate malt, roasted barley, and a little black patent. I added 5 oz of ghirardelli cocoa at 15 min in the boil, and an ounce of chocolate bar at 45. OG was 1.057.
I've read that starters should take right off fermenting, mine took about 12 hours to do anything. It bubbled a bit for a day, now there's very little bubbling (watched the airlock for about 20 seconds with nothing). I poured a sample to check gravity and I'm at 1.016 already (2 days). The sample tastes like paint thinner. really gross.
Im gonna let it sit a few weeks, but was wondering if this is normal, or if i should pitch another pack of yeast or anyting.
Thanks!