Hi, folks. PLanning on brewing today, so I made my starter yesterday. about a quart of water, added a cup of light DME, boiled for 15 minutes, added 1/4 teaspoon of yeast nutrient. Added to a sanitized growler and pitched my yeast, a vial of WLP 530, abbey ale yeast (best before Nov 06, '12.) I shook well after adding the yeast, before putting my airlock / stopper on, and a couple times since (I was out most of yesterday afternoon and evening, so dodn't get to shake as much as I'd like.) I've always gotten good results using this method, but this time I am seeing mo activity in there, now pushing 24 hours later. Do you think I'm good, or should I run out for another pack of yeast, knowing I won't have time for a good starter on it? Edit to add: I had ordered it from MoreBeer, it shipped cross country (yes I got the ice pack) I also got the White labe sour blend, if there an issue with the Abbey ale, would there also be issues with the sour?
There's just a couple specks of foam in there when i swirl it. I can't see in to see how much at the bottom (I use a brown growler.., so between that and the wort in there, it's pretty opaque.
Hmm. Can you shine a light on the side/bottom to get a better look? If you never got any foam with any of your swirls, it sounds like it never really got started. If I were you, I'd give it some more time (delaying brewday if necessary). I'd also remove the airlock/stopper and replace with loosely crimped foil. Airlocks are designed to keep O2 from entering, which is the opposite of what you want in a starter.
I tried the light. Coulodn't get anything through it. I've used this setup before, haven't had issues. Unfortunately, if I don't go today, it'll be at least another couple weeks befpre I can make the time. Think I'll run up to the store (half hour away ) for another pack of this or similar. edit: I just took the stopper and airlock out, it appears there's yeast in suspension, the liquid is way cloudier than it was, and there was an aroma of working yeast in there. maybe I may be lucky.
