Going to use some harvested, washed yeast for 1st time, ques

[Beardown]

I washed and harvested yeast from a batch of Amber a few weeks ago. Couple questions, can I use this yeast for an ipa if it came from an amber? And is it still useable if it has been in the fridge for 3 weeks or so? Thanks View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1468104412.790596.jpg

 

[JohnSand]

Yes to both. The best process would be to make a starter. Many have success just pitching slurry. I poured about 5oz of month old WLP530 into 2.5 gallons of 1.059 wort yesterday, it took off in a few hours. I let it rise to room temperature first, of course.

 

[ChelisHubby]

If it was me and the yeast is 4 weeks old I would pitch 2 jars and if the yeast is 8 weeks old I would just pitch it all. But I don't do starters yet I haven't seen the need in my situations . I am sure that starters are needed in many situations but I haven't needed to yet!

 

[kh54s10]

Mrmalty has a tab for using slurry, it takes into account the age of the yeast cake and tells you how much you should pitch.

http://www.mrmalty.com/calc/calc.html

 

[JohnSand]

If it has died it will smell bad, rotten.

 

[ericbw]

If it was refrigerated, it should be fine. Make a starter from one jar - pour off most of the beer, swirl it all up, then use that to make your starter.

Look at how little yeast is in a white labs vial/pouch.

 

[IowaHomeBrewer]

It is much easier to just overbuild starters and save some of that for recycling the yeast than it is to wash/harvest from a yeast cake (especially if you used hops).