Hi guys. I was amazed of how hard Wyeast 3787 produces top cropping yeast, after cooling and decanting the collected yeast container I figured there must be more than 250 ml of fresh slurry !!. Is it an usual qty. or is it something related to this strain?.
I used 3787 in a Westvleteren clone, and I have never seen a more active yeast in my life! Some advice for next time, that few seem aware of - always keep the overflow container higher than the level of the wort, so the yeast has to work "uphill" and fall back into the carboy. Otherwise, if it is lower, it will naturally act like a siphon, especially for this particular yeast. I kept mine at least a foot or two higher than the level of the wort in the carboy, and used the biggest diameter blow-off tube that would fit directly into the neck of the carboy.
My 3787 has never blown off that aggressively. I use it a lot and it's very active, but not as much as your photo shows. I have had 3944 blow off similar to your description. I was prepared and had a sanitized collection jar. When I went to re-start the blow-off slurry, I got nothing. Yep, the yeast would not start, just whirled away with nothing to show for it. Difficult to explain why this happened. I don't mean to jinx your good looking top-cropped yeast . . . but my 3944 was a complete dud.
That might depend on the temperature. For a Westvleteren clone, you let the temperature go up all the way to the low 80's. Then you will see incredible activity.
Should I be worried about that?, cos I´ve been manipulating the yeast starter taking (4) samples to freeze . I was obssesively sanitizing everything but who knows...
I would say no ... lots of variables in play here. I would try to start some the top-cropped yeast before you actually need it.
