Slanting mullarkey

[eanna]

I was going to do something like in this link. The appeal over slanting is long term storage (over 2 years) and if you have your quantities right it's already at a pitchable number of viable cells when you defrost it. Realistically I'm only going to want to use this yeast a couple of times a year so I was liking this idea.

http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f13/guide-making-frozen-yeast-bank-35891/

[Hop Bomb]

It would only be at a pitchable rate if you froze an entire 2 litre starter worth of yeast for every brew you plan on freezing/storing for. If you plan on using this a few times a year then you'd want 10 litre starter worth of conan yeast frozen wouldnt you?

[eanna]

This link says it can give a pitchable qty of viable yeast.

http://www.homebrewtalk.com/entries/freezing-yeast.html

"WHY: The method(s) described below is sufficient for storing cells in portions large enough to pitch directly (50-200 billion cells, similar to the amount in a smack pack from Wyeast or a tube from White Labs) (See Figure 1). Nevertheless, we recommend an overnight starter to ensure a large number of viable cells and rapid initiation of fermentation. "

[Hop Bomb]

50 billion cells is only enough for 5 gallons of 1.013 OG beer. 200 billion cells is enough for 1.055 beer. (mr.malty calculator)  Big difference between the two.

I dont see how he can get 8-10 vials of pitchable quantity yeast from one 2 litre starter. You'd defo have to do multiple 2 litre starters to bank enough pitchable yeast for 4 or 5 brews.

[eanna]

I'll probably freeze some straight from the pack, do a 5gal brew and harvest from that to freeze more. I've been collecting jars that are larger than the usual vial. 1 starter step for them then should be grand.

[irish_goat]

Lads, do you'se reckon you could post frozen yeast and then refreeze? Or would it need to be pitched as soon as it arrived?

[Kevco5]

I'm sure you could keep it in the fridge for a while until you are using it. Refreezing could damage the cells further.