LF: WLP550 or Wyeast 3522

[chalmers]

Hello folks,

I'm hoping to brew a Houblon Chouffe clone on Sunday, but the LHBS does not have any of the right yeast for it. Before going for an alternate strain, I figured I'd ask if anyone had an unused vial/pack or a slurry that I could grab? I'd be happy to repay you in more slurry and a bottle of the finished product. I've got a stir plate, so can work it up before Sunday.

Alternatively, anyone want to come over tonight and split four bottles of the real thing with me so I can get bottle dregs and get a starter going?

Thanks!

[LiverDance]

If I didn't just spend the last 2 days in bed I would be over helping you out. As another thought could you just pour off the bottles into a growler?

[CorneliusAlphonse]

damn i only read the title of this earlier and didn't see the offer at the end! oh well.

i can't help you out with the yeast, sorry.

[chalmers]

Hmm, no takers Wed, I'm going to try for tonight.
That'll still give me just shy of 3 days for a starter, would you think it's enough time to do a step up of the starter too? Start it in 500mL of 1.020, and then decant into 1.5L of 1.040? What do the yeast starter experts think?

[RubberToe]

It really repends, it could work, or may not be quite long enough. I've stepped up yeast from bottles / can, but only from one each. In my case it took several days for 250-300ml 1.040. That's on a stir plate too. With 4 bottles and possibly lots of yeast each you'll be in way better shape though.

[mr x]

How old are those beers? This sounds pretty slim for this weekend.

[chalmers]

I've got three 750mL bottles, 1-2 years old... Might have been too ambitious for this weekend.

Lead time from NG was three weeks for the 3522, WLP550 through Everwood would be the same or slightly quicker, I believe.

[gm-]

Overnight it from OBK? They have 3522 in stock

[KMcK]

Had you posted this two days earlier I could have gotten you some WLP550 fresh from the source. Regardless, I do have some 500 and 545 I'd be happy to share. In my opinion they are better than the 500.

[berley]

Hmm, no takers Wed, I'm going to try for tonight.
That'll still give me just shy of 3 days for a starter, would you think it's enough time to do a step up of the starter too? Start it in 500mL of 1.020, and then decant into 1.5L of 1.040? What do the yeast starter experts think?

I don't have a lot of experience building starters from bottle dregs, but that seems rushed to me. I think you'd be at a pretty good risk for underpitching.

[chalmers]

Thanks guys, I see now the error of my ways (waiting too long). I think it's decided that I won't be brewing it this weekend. As that is the case, I'll use this as my first go at stepping up bottle dregs for a brew.

Gm- thanks for the heads up, I also found WLP550 there, which is my preferred choice. However, overnight shipping at $30 is a bit rich for my blood, or expedited at $11, but unsure if it would be here in time. No complaints on the costs, just my own fault for not being on too of things.

KMcK, I chose WLP550 as it is supposed to be harvested from Achouffe directly, and I wanted to go for a clone of the Houblon Chouffe, so wanted to use the same yeast.

[berley]

Chris, I meant to ask, if you're not in a hurry, why not just get Noble Grape to order in the 3522 for you? Granted, it might take a few weeks (depending on where they are in their ordering schedule), but at least you know you'd get a fresh smackpack.

[chalmers]

I was quoted 3-4 weeks from NG, so that's certainly a possibility, but since it can't happen this weekend, I'm no longer in a rush, and will just take my time and enjoy the bottle-dregs-step-up-process.

[berley]

I was quoted 3-4 weeks from NG, so that's certainly a possibility, but since it can't happen this weekend, I'm no longer in a rush, and will just take my time and enjoy the bottle-dregs-step-up-process.

You mean enjoy the emptying the bottles...