Keeping yeast starter

[ozarkbill]

Does anyone keep some dregs from sour mash or other runs to use for starter for later runs. Sort of like sourdough bread starter? If so do you just refrigerate it? If so do you just add some fine corn meal once in a while to keep it going.

[Large Sarge]

I keep a gallon in quart jars of the good stuff out of the bottom of my UJSSM. I collect corn, yeast, whatever happens to get in the jars. I use it to kick off the next batch. From my beer brewing, I can tell you yeast will keep in a fridge for months. Just don't let it freeze. And make sure that what you collect is completely fermented. Depending on the yeast strain it can keep going even at low temps. Put it in a sealed container with out a vent and you could wake up to a mess. Works for me but there are much more experienced guys here that may chime in.

[Washashore]

Funny this was just posted a week ago. I just opened up a 1/2 gallon mason jar of yeast I saved up from my first bourbon run. It's been in the fridge for at least 4 months. Once I opened it, the jar turned into one of those school project volcanoes. I just fit my barrel with an airlock--- I'll keep you posted if it actually takes off or not (I'm hoping the flavor will be as good as the first batch).