Hi there,
I haven't really bothered with yeast cropping as I rarely get to brew. But at the same time, I managed to get a nice beer from culturing up some yeast from a Fuller's Benghal lancer and really didn't want to dump the yeast cake. Failed with some Corsican wheat beer (lessson learned). I'd like to build a yeast bank but need to look at long term storage. Picked up some glycerine from the chemist with a view to doing this. Has anyone had any success with this? How long could you expect a yeast to stay viable if you freeze it (assuming decent aseptic technique/freezing rates etc.) in a domestic freezer?
What volume do people typically store? i.e. mL of slurry or mL of rinsed yeast?
Dara
I've been considering doing the same but i've only been storing in the fridge for now. I like the idea of these http://www.homebrewwest.ie/cryo-tubes-with-beads-sterile-assorted-4-pcs-2236-p.asp. Rather than defrosting a vial you just take out a pearl or two and culture from that.
Looks interesting. Hypertonic cryopreservative -jaysus, I thought I was being fancy with 'cryoprotectant'. I'm gonna give the glycerine a shot. Trying to culture some fuller's yeast at the mo so will give it a go on that. Apparently 25% glycerine is a good amount to use. Will report back whenever I get a chance to use the frozen yeast (could be a while).
Dara
I have a batch fermenting at the moment with yeast I froze with glycerine, it had be frozen for nearly a year! I built up a starter over the course of a week (250ml, 800ml + finally 2ltr).
I'm not sure but I think I used 10ml glycerine, 10ml water and 30ml yeast.
Handy article on it here as well http://www.homebrewtalk.com/entries/freezing-yeast.html
Posting here as I want to ask about yeast storage and freezing.
Where are you guys finding things like sterile vials and glycerine to store yeast properly? At the moment I'm using jars to split batches with friends as I can be sure they're sterile through boiling. For better storage or portability (jars often leak) what do ye recommend?
Use 50ml yeast Vials.
Where are you living? Theres probably someone near you with bags of them.
You get glycerin in any pharmacy
Quote from: johnrm on March 03, 2015, 11:44:37 PM
Use 50ml yeast Vials.
Where are you living? Theres probably someone near you with bags of them.
Drumcondra myself. I'll try the pharmacy for glycerin so. Regarding isopropyl alohol, it was E8 or E9 for 500ml when I was looking for it before, can I use a regular spirit?
I'm at the comp on Sat, can bring a bag. E5 for a bag of 25 vials.
I'm not sure about the chemical side of things. Search and Google are your friends.
Hi John,
I'm just wondering if you have any more vials. I won't be at the competition on Saturday but i'd be willing to pay postage and packaging for a bag. Gonna try and give yeast freezing a go.
Sure, can do.
What neck of the woods are you in? Someone can mule it for ya.
I'm up in drogheda. I don't mind paying for postage if it saves hassle. Thanks again
PM address, I'll get one in the post, you can Paypal once I know the postage.
Quote from: Dara on July 25, 2013, 12:04:00 AM
How long could you expect a yeast to stay viable if you freeze it (assuming decent aseptic technique/freezing rates etc.) in a domestic freezer?
from the slanting wiki (http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.com/wordpress/slanting-yeast/)
Method
Reliable Shelf Life / Maximum Shelf Life
Home Freezer (-19 Deg C)
0 – 2 years / 5+ years
Professional frozen (-80 Deg C)
Indefinite / Indefinite
This looks like a really appealing method. Freezing pitchable quantities
http://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=269488