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You are here: Home --> Forum Home --> General Forum --> Chitchat --> Harvested yeast question

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dai2dai996
Hesperia, CA
6 Posts


Hello!  First of all, I really love the yeast starter calculator.  Super easy to use.  My question is about harvested yeast from an overbuild.  What production date would you use for the harvested yeast in future starter calculations?



Posted 34 days ago.

uberg33k
Charter Member
The Internet
314 Posts


The date of propagation.  



Posted 34 days ago.

homebrewdad
Charter Member
Birmingham, AL
2480 Posts


I personally use the date that I believe the starter to be "done".  But we're talking about, what, 24-48 hours (at most) difference there?  Given the fact that we're estimating cell counts, anyway, I doubt that it matters a ton.



Posted 34 days ago.

dai2dai996
Hesperia, CA
6 Posts


The fact that it is all an estimate is why I was wondering if there was any concern over the original yeast packages viability.  I have not tried to overbuild yet and look forward to the adventure.  It would save a bit.  



Posted 34 days ago.

homebrewdad
Charter Member
Birmingham, AL
2480 Posts


Have you read the article on how to do this?  It's easy to do, and well worth it.



Posted 34 days ago.

dai2dai996
Hesperia, CA
6 Posts


Thank you!  I have seen that article but haven't read though it yet.  I will definitely do so now.  



Posted 34 days ago.

homebrewdad
Charter Member
Birmingham, AL
2480 Posts


Sweet.  Let me know if you have any questions.



Posted 34 days ago.

dai2dai996
Hesperia, CA
6 Posts


That is a great article!  Very informative for us new yeast harvesters.  I am very excited to get this going as it will certainly decrease the brewing cost and allow me to brew more!  I realized the importance of yeast starters from the beginning, but never thought of overbuilding.  To me it's a no brainer.  One more question... What do you think the maximum times of overbuild from an original pack is?



Posted 34 days ago.

homebrewdad
Charter Member
Birmingham, AL
2480 Posts


Glad you found it to be useful!

It will keep as long as any yeast.  I've successfully used yeast close to a year old from this method - just built up a new starter when it was time. 

Now, that's not ideal; a good rule of thumb is to "refresh" your yeast every four months or so if you aren't brewing with them (i.e. make a small starter and harvest from it).



Posted 34 days ago.

dai2dai996
Hesperia, CA
6 Posts


Cool.  Thanks for all the help!



Posted 34 days ago.

Chal
Wenham, MA
45 Posts


As a side note, I recently went to the Switchback brewery in Burlington VT and they have been propagating the same yeast for over 11 years. They ran some tests against the original strain to ensure that the yeast they are using hasn't degraded and were pleased to find out that their current yeast actually performs better than "the original".



Posted 34 days ago.

dai2dai996
Hesperia, CA
6 Posts


That's interesting.  I know brewers have been working with different strains from many different places for many years.  I can't imagine that they had the best conditions and equipment, yet they were successful.  I do find myself getting deeper into brewing in all aspects.  It is very fascinating and rewarding!



Posted 34 days ago.

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