How to wash yeast for homebrew use.

This idea was first presented to me by some steps that Wyeast used to have on their website years ago.

Currently, I followed this excellent video:
http://billybrew.com/yeast-washing

This is the beer for which I am harvesting the yeast/critters in this video. You can see it is somewhat of a special thing (Russian River Sanctification) and I hope to re-use and/or share the bugs with someone else, just like my friend in Denver shared with me in the first place.
http://www.donosborn.com/homebrew/Beer_Log2011.htm#sanctified

Category:

Education

Tags:

• homebrew
• yeast
• harvest
• wash
• washing
• reuse
• reusing
• save
• wednesday

[guyclark88]

Is it possible to use this technique with the dormant yeast from bottle-conditioned beers, just in smaller amounts?? Also, how long does yeast typically last in the fridge without any sugar before it all dies?  Thanks!

[donosborn]

@guyclark88 Some people culture yeast from the dregs of bottle conditioned beer, yes. I don't know how long it will last before it dies. It goes dormant and doesn't need to have food. But eventually it would probably not be good. If you washed it well, and it was clean, it would probably be good for several months. You would want to make a starter with it probably to get the yeast going again.

[Yourbassfan]

have some good clean yeast! Without a starter, you would need over 1/3 cup of living yeast cells to brew a 10.50 beer. Thats a lot of yeast! and believe why most under pitch. My recommendation to @becks41 for a 10.88 would be 2 jars or vials and a 2-liter starter to ensure yeast count. Cheers!

[donosborn]

@Yourbassfan thanks for the comment. Glad the yeast looks clean. I have done this one time after this and got a similarly good result. As for 1 liter starter not being enough for a 1.050 beer, I don't know about that. A Wyeast Smack Pack is said to be enough with 100 billion cells. If you make a starter (on a stir plate or not) surely that would increase the count? I think the proof is in the beer. Fast start? Complete ferment? No infections? good taste? That is my take.

[moonoverbluewaters]

how did you get my freekin screen to freeze while viewing

"one way you can Harvest Yeast" donoborn.

Then T&A all over my bread making videos. ye might be bugged...

[Yourbassfan]

I agree with your last statement completely! The information I shared was from research information from White Lads, Wyeast and Jamil. Can only share their professional opinions. It has increased my experience. Cheers Don!

[Yourbassfan]

Don, first and foremost, good entertaining videos. Wanted to make a comment on yeast counts. As most homebrewers under pitch yeast we should understant that 1 liter starters are clearly not enough for a >10.50 brew. By the time you get yeast sent to you and as yeast cells die you will be around 80-90 billion yeast count. With that said, you will need a 1.6-2 liter starter for the correct cell count to prevent under pitching. I've been harvesting yeast for a year now and looks like you.......

[JOMalone3113]

@donosborn Yea, I figure worst case scenario I can do a double starter if the first one lags or doesnt seem to have as much yeast as I want...but it looks pretty clean in the jars....If it dont work I guess I should have a vial of the yeast ready just in case.

[donosborn]

@JOMalone3113 Sounds like a good enough attempt. Hopefully you get some fairly clean white stuff at the bottom of the jars.

[JOMalone3113]

@donosborn ok, I tried the "fix" last night & idk. I got a little separation but it was not overly distinct like yours was n the video. So here's what I did. I had the mason jars ready(3 pints and a quart) & just poured off the top into the jars. Figuring if there was any yeast it would be on or near the top. I put them all in the fridge & we'll see what happens. looks like pretty clean stuff dropping to the bottom as of this morning so maybe it worked. def b using starters b4 I pitch these