Does this look right to you?

[J_P]

It appears that the breakspear yeast I made a starter from on Monday has two distinct layers in it. Does anyone know what it is? It smells alright with no trace of vinegar or off smells. Thankfully the Hopback yeast I was after looks spot on.

Answers on a postcard please

[Jim]

That looks pretty normal to me. I think the first layer is made up of trub from the wort used to make the starter, while the lighter top layer is yeast.

I just mix it all up by swirling the bottle round then pitch.

[J_P]

Cheers Jim

I assume I'll be OK to harvest the yeast and store it in an airlocked milk bottle in the fridge?

[iowalad]

Some of my starters have had a similar appearance.
I do the same as Jim.

I think a milk jar with airlock would work fine. I also follow Jim's tip and just pour my yeasties into six small bottles.

Some people pour off the beer and replace with boiled and cooled water. I haven't bothered. I have had good luck so far.

For a Lagoon creature Jim has some pretty good ideas!

[Vossy1]

For a Lagoon creature Jim has some pretty good ideas!

[Aleman]

Thats normal for a starter, in the ideal world you would want to pitch just the creamy (paler) layer, and this the the purpose of 'washing' the yeast cake when reusing it. You separate the healthy yeast from the 'old' yeast.

I've done it a few times and TBH its not worth it for a starter . . . |Washing the yeast from a yeast cake is certainly worth it , At least one wash helps to get rid of the worts of the trub and dead yeast.

[J_P]

Thanks for the advice fellas. The hopback yeast has been pitched and has gone off like a rocket and the brakspear yeast has been mixed with some boiled wort and is currently in an airlocked milk bottle in the fridge awaiting use.

[Andy]

For a Lagoon creature Jim has some pretty good ideas!