The use of dry yeast has enabled many brewers to easily make beer. I have always stressed the importance of having the right yeast to suit our climate. Liquid Yeasts allow the brewer to pick the yeast for the type of beer to be brewed. The brewer then has to control the temperature to suit the yeast.

The two main yeast types used are lagers (8-13 degrees C) and ales (15-22 degrees C). Lagers tend to be cleaner in the finish… ales a little sweeter, maybe fruity.

To start using liquid yeasts, you will need to collect some glass bottles… 500 ml, 1000 ml, and especially if you wish to do lager, 2 litres.

The first step when you have your bottles, yeast culture and malt in hand is to boil around 5 litres of water, add 700gm malt and let it boil for 15 minutes before pouring it into your sterilised bottles.
A 500ml bottle would be filled to the 400ml mark and a 2-litre bottle to 1300 ml. Once cool, you can then add your 35 ml culture to the 500ml bottle. The level will now be 435ml. Put an airlock on the bottle. The yeast can now go to work feeding on the malt and making more yeast cells.

The activity should peak in about two days and start to taper off. When this occurs, it’s time to transfer the 435 ml into the two litre bottle bringing the volume up to 1735 ml to be pitched, when it peaks, into your brew.

This procedure allows you to make more yeast as required. Some brewers split the initial 35 ml into two or more 500 ml starters. Others may save some of the pitching yeast and add it to a new 500 ml starter.

It is extremely important when you undertake yeast culturing that you understand the importance of sterilising as well as we can at home. Transfers from one bottle to another require care. The bottle lip you are pouring over should be wiped over with 40% alcohol, and the transfer should be quick and precise.

A few other things need to be said. Starters should always be stored in a fridge whether they are primed with yeast or not. Always label your cultures. Sudden changes in temperature of 5 degrees may put the yeast into shock.

Remember you are not bound to your nearest brew outlet. If you are not happy with a sub-standard result, go mail order or order online from our website…

www.homebrewerswarehouse.com.au
Cheers… Younga!