Failed Conan harvesting? Smells like a barbarian

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by kingjohnh, Jun 30, 2013.

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  1. kingjohnh

    kingjohnh Maven (1,322) Nov 3, 2009 New Mexico
    Trader

    I attempted to culture some Conan yeast from 2 cans of HT, but I'm pretty sure it didn't work. I never developed the foam that others have talked about and my airlock was never bubbling. I do have a bit of a slurry when I cold crashed it and you definitely get that pineapple smell from it, but otherwise it smells disgusting and makes me very weary of adding it to beer. I've cultured yeast before and never had a problem. Time to throw this away and try to get some fresh HT and start over?

    John
     
    #1 kingjohnh, Jun 30, 2013
  2. PortLargo

    PortLargo Pooh-Bah (1,831) Oct 19, 2012 Florida
    Pooh-Bah

    If it stinks I would also suspect something has gone wrong and start over. I've never cultured Conan, but all my starters have a pleasant hay/grass aroma. But it sounds like you got some growth so you did something right. Personally I would give it another step . . . just to see what happens.

    A couple of tips; lose the airlock. You want to expose the starter wort to oxygen. That's why you shake/stir/add-O2. Just cover your flask with a piece of foil or saran wrap. In a small sample you may miss the foaming (it comes and goes quickly), so don't let that discourage you. A tiny pinch of nutrient can only help.

    Here's a recent thread where others have posted their Heady results:
    http://beeradvocate.com/community/threads/harvesting-heady.93934/
     
    #2 PortLargo, Jun 30, 2013
  3. AlCaponeJunior

    AlCaponeJunior Grand Pooh-Bah (3,452) May 21, 2010 Texas
    Society Pooh-Bah

    "smells like a barbarian" ... great descriptor! Reminds me of when someone used "horse taint" as a descriptor for a beer's aroma. :grimacing:

    Probably shouldn't derail this one with such silly-ness so early tho................. :rolling_eyes:
     
    #3 AlCaponeJunior, Jun 30, 2013
    franklinn likes this.
  4. Pnell316

    Pnell316 Initiate (0) Aug 16, 2010 Pennsylvania

    I just did a starter for conan too, it took about 4 days before the initial fermentation. Think I shocked the yeast a little in the beginning but she took off, how long did you give it before cold crash?
     
    #4 Pnell316, Jul 1, 2013
  5. kingjohnh

    kingjohnh Maven (1,322) Nov 3, 2009 New Mexico
    Trader

    Thanks for the replies. I let it go for 5 days before I cold crashed it and I added some more 1.040 wort 2 days before the cold crash. I think I need to trade for some more HT. Anyone want to LaCumbre Elevated IPA?

    John
     
    #5 kingjohnh, Jul 1, 2013
    AleFredO likes this.
  6. TheMonkfish

    TheMonkfish Initiate (0) Jan 8, 2012 Chad

    If you can't find a trader then you may want to check out Yeastgeek.com for some YG001. They expect to have a new batch ready in a few weeks.
     
    #6 TheMonkfish, Jul 1, 2013
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