WLP550 yeast starter clumping

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Digby
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WLP550 yeast starter clumping

Post by Digby » Mon Mar 29, 2021 8:39 pm

Hi folks,

I have made lots starters with various yeast strains over recent years. I tend to over-build so I can keep some in the fridge in a sanitised jar for next time and they always work well when woken from their slumber for another starter.

Today I noticed the WLP550 (Achouffe strain) starter that has been going 24 hours since pitching has clumped rather a lot. When I switch off the stir plate most of the yeast drops out within 30 seconds, and WLP550 has never done that to me before. It is behaving more like WLP002 which is renowned for clumping and dropping out.

My gut feeling is to bin this starter as it behaving so very differently to how I feel it should. It smells about right, but I would rather use some emergency dried yeast for my Belgian blond instead than waste other ingredients and my time brewing a dud.

I would appreciate any feedback or opinions before I pour it away!

Many thanks,

Matt

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Digby
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Re: WLP550 yeast starter clumping

Post by Digby » Mon Mar 29, 2021 9:11 pm

I realise I have posted this in the wrong section. If a moderator could move it to the Yeast section, please, that may help!

Many thanks

Matt

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IPA
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Re: WLP550 yeast starter clumping

Post by IPA » Tue Mar 30, 2021 7:06 am

Taste it and you will know if there is a problem. In fact always taste a starter before pitching.
"You're not drunk if you can lie on the floor without holding on." Dean Martin

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MashBag
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Re: WLP550 yeast starter clumping

Post by MashBag » Tue Mar 30, 2021 7:32 am

😁😁 What he said. Taste everything, it is a brilliant tool.

Digby
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Re: WLP550 yeast starter clumping

Post by Digby » Tue Mar 30, 2021 7:56 am

It certainly smells suitably phenolic and "Belgian" as usual, and yes I will have a taste. It just looks so different to usual I wonder if it is drifting due to being several generations on from when I bought it?

Matt

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orlando
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Re: WLP550 yeast starter clumping

Post by orlando » Tue Mar 30, 2021 9:30 pm

Digby wrote:
Tue Mar 30, 2021 7:56 am
It certainly smells suitably phenolic and "Belgian" as usual, and yes I will have a taste. It just looks so different to usual I wonder if it is drifting due to being several generations on from when I bought it?
Probably.
I am "The Little Red Brooster"

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MashBag
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Re: WLP550 yeast starter clumping

Post by MashBag » Thu Apr 01, 2021 6:59 am

I'll go a bit further.... Yes!

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Cobnut
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Re: WLP550 yeast starter clumping

Post by Cobnut » Thu Apr 01, 2021 11:03 am

Doesn't necessarily mean you won't get a decent beer from it.

Keep us informed :)
Fermenting: nowt
Conditioning: English IPA/Bretted English IPA
Drinking: Sunshine Marmalade, Festbier, Helles Bock, Smokey lagery beer, Irish Export StoutCascade APA (homegrown hops), Orval clone, Impy stout, Duvel clone, Conestoga (American Barley wine)
Planning: Dark Mild, Kozel dark (ish), Simmonds Bitter, Bitter, Citra PA and more!

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