Yeast starter not looking so good....

[mikeljcarr]

I did a yeast starter with a yeast that was 3 months past its "best before date" last night around 6pm and as of 11am this morning it doesn't seem to have any activity. Do you think its a no go or should I try to pitch it any way and see what happens?

 

[sfgoat]

Take a gravity reading. That's the only real way to tell. You may just need to give it more time. Are you using a stir plate?

 

[TheJasonT]

Are you using a stir plate or the "occasional shaking" method?

If you're shaking, do you see any bubbles or foam form?

 

[mikeljcarr]

No stir plate. I shake it occasionally and see no bubbles, just see the yeast blend with the beer.

 

[unionrdr]

It may be just a lil slow getting started. I made a small starter for a 2 year old 7g Cooper's yeast packet once,& it took a bit to get going. but it worked very well indeed. Yeasties are tough lil critters. That small starter in a pale ale needed a blow off,it was so violent! So give it a lil more time & swirl it occasionally.

 

[sfgoat]

No stir plate. I shake it occasionally and see no bubbles, just see the yeast blend with the beer.

If your yeast is that old and you are not using a stir plate you should probably expect anywhere from 24-72 hours before you see activity. Just give it more time.

 

[mikeljcarr]

I'm in the process of brewing now; should I pitch the starter as is or wait to see if it comes to life after a day or two? If I don't pitch it now, what should I do to protect what I'm brewing from getting an infection?

 

[unionrdr]

When I do starters,I put a sanitized square of aluminum foil over the top of the flask. When rehydrating,I squeeze the dry yeast packet over the top. US-05 packets hold there shape when squeezed over the flask opening.

 

[sfgoat]

I'm in the process of brewing now; should I pitch the starter as is or wait to see if it comes to life after a day or two? If I don't pitch it now, what should I do to protect what I'm brewing from getting an infection?

Just put your wort in the fermenter and seal it until your yeast is ready. Won't hurt it any.

 

[sikkingj]

I've done plenty of these past expiration date starters, my longest lag was 5 days, just give it time and the stir plate will work its magic. You'll know you've made contact when you see krausen.

Let us know how it turns out.

 

[brewcephus]

Give it time, I've experienced this before. Shake it as often as you can think about it and wait for it.