Storing Yeast

[JR]

I have some WY1968 in the fridge that I recovered from the last batch I made with 1968.  I went through the process of rinsing it with water and whatnot.. But three months or so have
passed and I still haven’t used it.  Its not looking like I will use it for
at least another 3 months with me being on a bit of an American pale ale and
psudopilsner binge, but I would like to keep that yeast as I will get back to
English beers at some point.

Would it be sensible to make up a starter and put the 1968 in it and let it
ferment out then put the yeast back into storage.  Would that re-set the
clock to zero?  How often would I do this to maintain some life in the yeast? 
3 monthly? 6 monthly?  or would it make more sense to just leave the yeast
alone and see if it’s viable when the time comes that I want to use it. 
Not exactly high stakes since I can get new yeast for $18.

[Toot]

Heres a good link that James sent me about storing yeast.

http://www.schwedhelm.net/brew/yeast_harv_freeze.html.

[MrC]

I was in exactly the same position last year with some 1056. I opted for the "leave it untill you're ready to brew with it and see how the starter comes out" approach and it was fine. 6 months after washing and stored in the fridge the whole time.

Also, $18 is nothing compared to the pain of tipping a batch due to dodgy yeast. If I don't trust the yeast I don't use it. I always taste my starters and make a decision from there.

[Reviled]

+1 for everything Mr Cherry said, ive actually got some 1469 which I just washed and stored in the fridge about 9-12 months ago and im planning on trying to ressurect that in the next month or so... Its still got some lighter coloured areas so hopefully ill get some activity...

[Sparky]

Goodness that 1469 is a good yeast. Used it for a mild that was superb and wished I had kept some for future brews.

[Reviled]

Goodness that 1469 is a good yeast

Agreed!! Its so good in alot of different beers IMO, I made a 500ml starter yesterday and still no activity this morning, but im hoping itll kick to life over the next 24 hours, I just found a second bottle of trub so ive added that to it as well, I should get some living cells hopefully!

[denimglen]

1469 is the Tim Taylor strain?

[Mike Neilson]

Sam Smiths

[Haish]

I've got some frozen if you need it :)

It is supposed to be the TTL strain.

[denimglen]

I've got a frozen vial of Galbraith's Bob Hudson strain. Which is supposed to be the TTL strain, I think Keith said he got it from TTL or something ages ago.

Wonder how similar they are? Probably mutated a bit by now.

[Haish]

Probably a bit different by now, but sounds like there's a good experiment there.

[Reviled]

I've got some frozen if you need it :)

Cheers mate, will def be in touch if this starter doesnt fire ;o)

[denimglen]

What Mr Cherry said.

If it's going to be aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaages before you brew with it I'd look at making a starter with it and freezing some - lots of links in the library on that