Storing fresh yeast question

[Pikey]

Hi all - I just managed to score some fresh yeast - about 4 oz

so ive never played with fresh yeast before - how much do I use to start a 25 litre (5gallon imp) batch of wash ?

How can I stores / preserve it for future use ? and how long will it keep ?

Thanks in advance

[Durhommer]

Pics would be nice I usually just keep it in the fridge

[stillanoob]

This is from my brewing days, but I think it still applies.

I would get a gallon jug with a fermentation lock and cork. Nuke it all with Star San, give it a good soak. Rinse well and use an iodine sanitizer for the last rinse. Make up some wash of the type you will be using, a half gallon or so. Put your yeast in the jug along with the wash and let it ferment. When you use it, swirl the jug and use 1/2 of it. Add another 1/4 gallon of wash to the jug. Be super anal about sanitizing all equipment used, wash your hands etc. You can get away with that for a few generations before you need to replace the yeast and start again.

We would also do back to back ferments where when we racked the beer from primary to secondary containers we would put the new wort on top of the old yeast layer in the primary. I wouldn't do that more than three times. You can also use the yeast layer from the secondary fermenter, save some at the bottom and pour into the new primary. Same 3 times rule there.

I used to culture mushrooms and had a little clean box that I could streak yeast on to agar and keep reference cultures. Doing that I could pretty much keep the yeast forever. In general terms though it is easier just to buy some fresh yeast periodically.

[Pikey]

Pics would be nice I usually just keep it in the fridge

How long can you keep it ? - I've no idea when I can get more and I'm on the Danger list of vulnerables so can't go out for - well the NHS letter says 12 weeks.

Got sugar and the makins - but desperately need to be stillin to keep the "Spirits" up !

[Durhommer]

Try and catch natural yeast /wild yeast on your mash or wash there's yeast floating around

[Pikey]

Pics would be nice I usually just keep it in the fridge

I usually buy this nowadays - but it seems to be in short supply

But a local baker let me have some fresh as a real favour ! so I need to keep it safe !

[Durhommer]

You got a kid or nephew who will shop for you around here you can grocery shop online and have it delivered to your door

[Durhommer]

Sorry I'm in the states I dunno shit about euros so stock up however you can

[Pikey]

You got a kid or nephew who will shop for you around here you can grocery shop online and have it delivered to your door

Got 2 daughters - both pregnant -

Some of our Supermarkets will do that - but getting a delievery slot is crazy !

GB Pound is about $1.25 at the moment so that price for the yeast - is $40 + $4 for postage !

[Durhommer]

Yikes that's a lot I'd try and get a neighbor kid or someone to go fetch it for you

[The Baker]

Try and catch natural yeast /wild yeast on your mash or wash there's yeast floating around

Sure, just start up without yeast and probably soon you will have fermentation. If of course you leave it open to the air at first and keep it warm.

I have fermented fruit without any ADDED yeast. Just using the natural yeast on the skin of the fruit. So DO NOT PEEL IT.

Throw ripe or over-ripe fruit in a bucket (with the stones is okay), add just a little warm water sweetened with a small amount of sugar (taste it; not sweet, just nearly) (this is really high tech) so it is not too thick, .

Keep it warm, and maybe beat it with a piece of wood the first day or two or until you can see it is fermenting.
When it is fermenting well cover it.

So you have yeast. When it is fermenting vigorously you can take some of this ferment and start another ferment with it.
Gently and carefully.

Geoff

[Durhommer]

It works tho does it not

[Pikey]

The thing is I HAVE YEAST - see post 1 - I just want to know the best way of storing fresh yeast !

[Corsaire]

In the fridge

[Durhommer]

Yes as stated just stick it in the icebox

[stillanoob]

Yeah, guess I didn't read too well.

Dried yeast will keep in the freezer for years. The longer it has been in there the slower it will start as some does die I guess. I have used 3-4 year old yeast for brewing, no problem.

[Corsaire]

Fresh yeast doesn't last as long. Can't say how long it lasts, I don't keep notes. Just make a starter before you make your wash, that way you'll see if it's still viable before you commit to making a ferment.
If there's no life in it, well it makes good nutrients for the next yeasties...