Building a Yeast Bank

We like to make a variety of brews and with the cost of yeast, we have made starters for our brews for a while now.  One of the added benefits of creating a starter for your yeast is that you save money since you do not have to purchase multiple packs of yeast for a brew.  We brew ten gallons at a time, the yeast packs that are sold at your local homebrew store or that come with ingredient kits generally contain enough yeast for a five gallon batch.

To aid in my penchant for saving money, I started learning different techniques for re-using/washing/overbuilding yeast.  This way, one purchase of a single yeast pack can ferment up to 5 high gravity brews without the chance of mutation.  We can likely get more out of it and will have to see how long we can go.

The method that I have chosen is to overbuild the yeast in the starter.  Depending on the type of yeast (or sometimes the brand), I usually overbuild by ~100 billion cells, sometimes ~200 billion cells.  If it is a yeast that we usually use for high gravity beers, then ~200 billion, if it is RVA brand, also ~200 billion since that is how it’s shipped.

Here is the process I follow:

First, I create the recipe in BeerSmith.  I brew on the weekends, Saturday is my favorite day.  I create my starter on Tuesday and let it spin for at least 24 hours.  To create my starter, I use the Brew United Yeast Starter Calculator:

Start by selecting the brew type (Ale or Lager), how many gallons and the OG of the beer.  In the Overbuild Cell Count field, enter the number of billions of cells you want to overbuild, note that the Yeast Cells Needed value rises when you add to the Overbuild number.

Then fill in the details from your yeast: Number of billions of cells, Date on the package (Some manufacturers use a ‘packaged on’ date, some use an ‘expiration’ date.  You need to know which is which.)

After that fill in the details of your starter vessel and you’re off!  This tool will also help you make stepped starters if needed.  This calculator uses the rule of 101 grams of DME per liter.

Wyeast and RVA use a Packaged on Date

White Labs uses a Best Before date.  Subtract four months and use that date in the calculator.

Once that information is entered, scroll to the bottom of the tool and note the two values below:

My method here is to take the flask off the stirplate and decant 600 ml into an additional flask.  I then cold crash both flasks.

Create the Starter.  Yes, you can boil the stater wort in the flask (Pyrex rated glass), but I do not recommend it.  This has the potential of creating a huge mess (Erlenmeyer flasks make impressive volcanoes), and I like to strain the hot break out when transferring post-boil.

Fill the flask to the desired volume (add a little more for boil off)

Pour into boil pot.  Bring to a boil

While water is heating, measure out the DME needed

Once the water is boiling, add the DME and turn down the heat.  This can boil over quickly if the heat is kept high.  Keep a close eye on this until you achieve hot break (the foamy head dissipates).

Transfer to your flask. I use a funnel with a strainer in it to filter out the hot break material. I then place the flask in the refrigerator to cool to pitching temps (~70 degrees)

Once cooled, pitch the yeast, place it on the stirplate and start spinning

I love this video.  Not all yeasts will look like this, mostly English style yeasts

Cold crash for at least 24 hours

This is my cold crashed overbuild flask.  I will decant most of the liquid.  I want some to help liquefy the cake.

Here is the bottom view of the decanted flask.  The yeast remains as a cake on the bottom

Top view of the decanted flask

I then swirl the flask to liquefy the cake and pour it carefully into my vials.  This will usually fill five to eight vials.

The vials I use are from Amazon:

Soda Bottle Preforms and Caps (30/pk) – $27.99
SEOH TEST TUBE RACK PLASTIC For 24 tubes 25mm – $6.86

Note that the vials do not sit well next to each other, so I stagger them.

Once in the vials, I cold crash the vials.

Vials cold crashed, yeast on the bottom:

Once cold crashed, decant most of the liquid and shake to liquefy yeast.  Combine all vials into one.  Label the vial.  The date that you first decanted the overbuild from your original starter is the date used here.  This becomes the new ‘Packaged on’ date for the calculator.

I label the caps, as well.

Some of my yeast bank:

These vials can be stored in the refrigerator for as long as you would store a package of yeast from the local homebrew store. Six to eight months is the conventional wisdom, but it has been done for a year or more using this method.

If you already create starters, then for an additional $34.85, you can start your own yeast bank.  This is the cost of approximately FOUR packs of yeast.  Talk about savings!