Wyeast 3068 - Weihenstephan, Any Good?

[Chad]

Holy crap! I just tasted and smelt my first Weizenbock today from the fermenter before kegging it, which I used this yeast for the first time too, and it was bloody amazing :icon_drool2:.
I made a 1.5L starter from the smack pack and fermented at 17c all the way, and I don't think I could have asked for a better balance of esters and phenolics. Can't wait to try it from the glass in a few weeks.

I'm re-brewing it again in two weeks time, but next weekend I am doing a Hefe which will be cultured up from a slant, so we'll see how that one goes.

 

[bundy]

I know this is an old thread but as good a place as any. I Have read many post on reusing yeasts and other advice on washing to reuse your yeast.

My initial plan was to wash a wyeast 3068 after it has finished fermenting. However a quick google on washing wyeast 3068 shows quite a few posts that this may not be a great idea for this strain. (Including some in this thread)

Wondering if anyone can advice what is the best way I can either split or reuse this yeast? Should I consider splitting the smack pack into 2 - 3 small vials and using those for starters? If so do you smack it first or just harvest the yeast to vials? Or should I try top harvest? Or will in fact washing be fine?

I have the yeast ready in my fridge to put down after my current brew finishes in 6 or 7 days so any advice appreciated so whichever way I go I have a few tucked away to use again.

 

[Midnight Brew]

Its a big time party animal top cropper so thats going to be the easiest way I think. Splitting the smack pack is going to be a kinda back up insurance incase you get an infection or starter infection. Washing is also an option but I think top cropping is an easier way and you're getting the most active and purest yeast from the brew.

 

[carniebrew]

Yep I do both, smack, let swell, then split into into two test tubes. Use the first, top crop it a couple of times and that goes into another test tube. All labelled with dates, if its a split or crop, etc...

 

[bundy]

Yep I do both, smack, let swell, then split into into two test tubes. Use the first, top crop it a couple of times and that goes into another test tube. All labelled with dates, if its a split or crop, etc...

Cheers guys - Carniebrew re the top crops, do you limit yourself to 1 or 2 generations with this method?

Or do you find by continually top cropping you don't have the issues with yeast degrading and losing a lot of that great banana / clove finish and can just keep on cropping and using?

Lastly any time constraints on how long you have been able to store either top cropped or split yeast? 6 - 12 months ok with this strain?

I love wheats in summer so if I can keep from year to year will be perfect for me.

 

[carniebrew]

I haven't been doing it long enough to answer most of that yet! Less than a year for me, and I haven't used a 2nd gen top crop as yet.

 

[bundy]

No worries, really appreciate your advice. When you do get to that stage maybe try remember this thread and post us an update.

Now off to the neighbour who is a chemist in a hospital to hit him up for some spare 40 or 50ml vials

 

[carniebrew]

I got a truckload of 50ml ones from mad about science online. In fact anyone in Melbourne who wants any, I bought a bulk box of like 100 or something, and I only need about 20.

The only hassle about them is the pointed bottom, but I've made a holder for them in a block of wood with a step drill bit and some nails for supports.

Happy to mail 'em too if anyone wants to pay postage but they won't be as good value of course.

 

[peas_and_corn]

I *love* this yeast. It's just so damn good, with a great flavor profile. I use it for my dunkelweissen recipe all the time

 

[Midnight Brew]

Cheers guys - Carniebrew re the top crops, do you limit yourself to 1 or 2 generations with this method?

Used up to 5 or 6 generations before switching to another yeast and no problems. Usually have a list of beers to make and get two cubes out of each batch and the yeast has no problems firing up after some down time. If its over a week or two I make a starter. Big commercial breweries have been using the top crop method for years and continue to do so.