WLP 002 not started !

[bloodoaf]

Help!

I normally use safale s4 but yesterday made a White Labs wlp 002 starter with cooled boiled wort (22 deg c) and pitched 2 hrs later. I am worried as I can see zero activity. By now a wort with safale s4 is a heaving mass of foam. What should I do, wait and hope or throw in a safale s4 ?

Cheers.

[oblivious]

Help!

I normally use safale s4 but yesterday made a White Labs wlp 002 starter with cooled boiled wort (22 deg c) and pitched 2 hrs later. I am worried as I can see zero activity. By now a wort with safale s4 is a heaving mass of foam. What should I do, wait and hope or throw in a safale s4 ?

Cheers.

Starters for liquid yeast usual need 24-36 hours to be ready to pitch, although I have heard of some been ready in 12

You may have confused the starter method Daab uses for dry yeast, which is really allow the yeast to activate their membrane and get there metabolic pathways going again. Where as starters for liquid yeast is need to increase cell mass to ferment the beer

[bloodoaf]

Doh! The instructions suggest pitching it directly into 5 gallons of wort- has anyone else experienced a lag with wlp002?
Should I leave it? Should I aerate the wort more? Oh so many questions!
Thanks.

[oblivious]

That probably ok if you bought it in the US, but with shipping and shelf time it probable always advisable to make starter for liquid yeast on this side of the pond.

Maybe give in another day, incase it takes of, and if there is no sign of activity tomorrow evening I would pitch the S-04

[DRB]

I've used Wyeast and WL more recently,and if I had to choose it would have to be wyeast as it took off a lot quicker.

[bloodoaf]

Thanks for the replies- I will keep you posted.

[bloodoaf]

I just got in from work and lo and behold- the yeast has started at last! Took 48 hrs ....and I worked out how to insert photos! Looks like the Ruddles County is saved.

[oblivious]

Looken good

[bloodoaf]

Its well and truly erupting now. Panic over!

[bloodoaf]

Its definitely working now. Lesson learnt- ignore instructions and make starter 48 hrs before wort is ready!

[TheBigEasy]

I have just used a wlp 005 phial that was dated to expire in Oct 06.
I made a 1/2 litre starter last Monday evening that took a couple of days to get going, then upped it to 1 litre, then to 2 litres and pitched it on Saturday afternoon. Within fours hours the yeast head was forming.

[David Edge]

The Oaf:
>Lesson learnt- ignore instructions and make starter 48 hrs before wort is ready!

According to Chris White you don't need to make a starter - but I agree that by the time they get to the UK you should. However, according to the great and good doctor too all a day does is get the yeast used to the idea of fermenting - if you want cell multiplication a few days are needed. So your 48 hours is probably about the minimum.

There's some good stuff straight from the horse's mouth on pages 14 and 15 of this

http://craftbrewing.org.uk/bcpdf/BC5-4_dec2005.pdf

Well I would say that wouldn't I, along with a reminder that ladies can brew embarrassingly well.

[mysterio]

Great krausen pictures, I get the same kind of thing when using that yeast. As a rule of thumb, I tend to give WL vials a couple of days in 2 L of 1.040 starter per 5 gallons of beer.

[David Edge]

Mysterio:
> I get the same kind of thing when using that yeast. (WLP002)

Is it just me then that if I make a starter with that stuff it sets like concrete on the bottom of the bottom of the flask unless I leave it on a mag stirrer?

It's the only yeast I've come across that in the space of a week can flocculate so well that bottles don't condition.

[mysterio]

It certainly does make for a clear beer, I keg everything though so i've never had that problem.

Where did you get your stirrer David? I've been looking out for one but I can never find one at a reasonable price.