Yeast Starter Question

[Eastcoast Guy]

I've made a WL833 starter (2 litre) and let it ferment out for a few days at room temperature on a stir plate until no noticeable activity was present, then put it in the fridge to drop out the yeast. It's been 48 hrs and there is a bunch of yeast on the bottom of the flask, but there is a middle hazy layer and only the top 1" is crystal clear. Do I have to give it more time to settle out or am I ok to decant this off before I step up to my 4 litre starter. I'm concerned that may be yeast in the haze, and am I then selectively removing them when stepping up my starter and possibly affecting attenuation in my beer when I pitch? I don't remember this happening with any of the ale yeast starters I've made. Am I ok to decant or should I wait longer?

[JohnF]

I've made a WL833 starter (2 litre) and let it ferment out for a few days at room temperature on a stir plate until no noticeable activity was present, then put it in the fridge to drop out the yeast. It's been 48 hrs and there is a bunch of yeast on the bottom of the flask, but there is a middle hazy layer and only the top 1" is crystal clear. Do I have to give it more time to settle out or am I ok to decant this off before I step up to my 4 litre starter. I'm concerned that may be yeast in the haze, and am I then selectively removing them when stepping up my starter and possibly affecting attenuation in my beer when I pitch? I don't remember this happening with any of the ale yeast starters I've made. Am I ok to decant or should I wait longer?

Lager yeast is powdery and also cold tolerant so it clears much slower than ale yeast. I've used 830 and 833 a lot and 833 is slower to clear than 830. That said, in the coldest part of my fridge 48 hours was about what 833 took. Your fridge may be a few degrees warmer than mine. If it isn't in the coldest part (bottom rear), try to move it there. You should be set in another day in either case. If you are pitching tomorrow you are fine. If you need to pitch tonight I think it is probably okay, just remember to give it an extra day next time.

[Eastcoast Guy]

Thanks, it's a step in my starter and I have time so I'll wait it out. Also, it's on the top shelf of my fridge since it's a 2L flask that won't fit anywhere else. I'll drop the fridge temp for now and see if that helps.

[iceclimber]

Get the Yeast book from JZ and Chris White...more than enough info in there