Patersbier is on!

[Chug]

Not another my brew isn't fermenting thread! I have my fingers crossed for you Alberto

[GarethHW]

Given it a shake and moved it into the living room. Haven't got any other appropriate yeast so fingers crossed. Too soon to properly fret, will see what's doing when I get in from work. If there's nothing doing by tomorrow I'll have to chuck in some us-05 and make some bland pseudo lager!

[Clibit]

Hang in there, it's not been 24 hours yet! Not perfect, sounds like an under pitch, but hopefully some solid signs of fermentation will appear soon.

I'm still getting to grips with liquid yeasts but they seem unreliable - presumably down to transport from the USA, and varying storage conditions. I now make a small starter and make a small batch from that, I mostly make 8-12 litre batches, then split the yeast sediment into several jars, from which I make starters for subsequent brews. I think making a starter every time is good practice. When I pay attention to the yeast and pitch yeast I know is healthy I feel better and the beer works out better.

Fingers crossed for your Patersbier.

[GarethHW]

Yeah. I think after this one I'll always do a starter for liquid yeasts. I have done previously for white labs and recovered yeast but not smack packs, the two or three I've used were fine. This one didn't swell much either.

[Clibit]

Yeah. I think after this one I'll always do a starter for liquid yeasts. I have done previously for white labs and recovered yeast but not smack packs, the two or three I've used were fine. This one didn't swell much either.

Russian roulette innit?

[GarethHW]

Yeah. I think after this one I'll always do a starter for liquid yeasts. I have done previously for white labs and recovered yeast but not smack packs, the two or three I've used were fine. This one didn't swell much either.

Russian roulette innit?

Belgian in this instance. But yes.

[BenB]

I'd definitely make a starter. I get my smack packs from the-home-brew-shop and they've all been fairly fresh and all swollen within 2-3 hours. I always make a starter. I tend not to get any lag. Just received my second Borosilicate flask so I can get it to 2L without overwhelming the yeast....

[GarethHW]

Well we have lift off. Tense moments this morning but it's up and running and creating a whiff in the corner. Tried to add a photo of a nice krausen, but got a 'network fail', so you will just have to imagine it.

It's actually an interesting krausen. Wrinkled, rather like a human brain.

[GarethHW]

I'd definitely make a starter. I get my smack packs from the-home-brew-shop and they've all been fairly fresh and all swollen within 2-3 hours. I always make a starter. I tend not to get any lag. Just received my second Borosilicate flask so I can get it to 2L without overwhelming the yeast....

Yeah I'm getting one of those fancy artisan stir plates made of a cigar box for my birthday. Been muddling through using plastic bottles but need to get some proper starter kit now I'm using more liquid yeast.

[ManseMasher]

Well we have lift off. Tense moments this morning but it's up and running and creating a whiff in the corner. Tried to add a photo of a nice krausen, but got a 'network fail', so you will just have to imagine it.

It's actually an interesting krausen. Wrinkled, rather like a human brain.

You sure it's your brew making a whiff in the corner?! Glad it has started! When I've used liquid yeast in the past I have always made a starter, and they have all taken off really well. I have to say though, the size of brew I'm doing now precludes me from using liquid yeast, as I'm too tight to put more than one vial in!

[BenB]

You can step up a single vial though?

[Chug]

Glad to hear you have happy beer now.

[Clibit]

Yeah good news.

[Notlaw]

Yeast starters, harvesting from bottles, its all black magic to me at the minute. That's an area I need to read up on.

[GarethHW]

Yeast starters, harvesting from bottles, its all black magic to me at the minute. That's an area I need to read up on.

It was to me til recently but all you need is a bag of dme and a bottle, plus star San. It's pretty simple, I watched YouTube vids on it. I've been doing them without a stir plate, and no problems