• Welcome to National Homebrew Club Ireland. Please login or sign up.
July 15, 2025, 05:56:39 PM

News:

Renewing ? Its fast and easy - just pay here
Not a forum user? Now you can join the discussion on Discord


Anyone used Glycerine as a cryoprotectent for yeast?

Started by Dara, July 25, 2013, 12:04:00 AM

Previous topic - Next topic

Dara

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

drinking - Brown porters (plain/oak aged/vanilla)
conditioning - American Amber (Jamil's evil twin)
Fermenting - air

rukkus

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.

Dara

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
drinking - Brown porters (plain/oak aged/vanilla)
conditioning - American Amber (Jamil's evil twin)
Fermenting - air

Kevco5

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.


cruiscinlan

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?   

johnrm

Use 50ml yeast Vials.
Where are you living? Theres probably someone near you with bags of them.

mr hoppy


cruiscinlan

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?

johnrm

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.

itsclinto

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.

johnrm

Sure, can do.
What neck of the woods are you in? Someone can mule it for ya.

itsclinto

I'm up in drogheda.  I don't mind paying for postage if it saves hassle.  Thanks again

johnrm

PM address, I'll get one in the post, you can Paypal once I know the postage.

beerfly

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

Method
Reliable Shelf Life  / Maximum Shelf Life

Home Freezer (-19 Deg C)
0 – 2 years   /  5+ years

Professional frozen (-80 Deg C)
Indefinite / Indefinite