Sipping your starters?

[Covrich]

Anyone else do this? I don't mean high krausen to get a foamy moustache

A couple of times when I used liquid I have made a starter for a top crop .. when decanting into jar I have poured off a little bit of the wort into a cup.. and had a little sip

I know some people might think it sounds gross but I think it is a good way of getting a singular taste of the yeast character.

Just did it with my WLP400, interesting funky belgian flavour!

 

[TheRedDarren]

No, but on the basis that all knowledge is power - I'm defo gonna start now!

 

[MyQul]

Hell Yeah! :drunk:

When I decant the spent starter wort off from my starters into the sink I usually put a glass into the sink to catch some of that starter wort goodness.
Seriously though, it helps get a taste/sense of what the ester in your beer will eventually be like. Also it'll alert you to any infection or off flavours that might have slipped under the radar into your starter before you pitch it into that fresh wort you just spent 5 hours making

 

[TheRedDarren]

I normally have good sniff, trying to detect anything untoward...
I always refrained from sipping in case I infected it, now I'll do what you do and decant off a small amount and have a cheeky little snifter.

 

[Simonh82]

Absolutely, for exactly the reasons MyQul mentioned. I've just tasted a started I'm building up from Duvel bottle dregs. I thought it was infected from the smell but on tasting it was lovely.

 

[Covrich]

Absolutely, for exactly the reasons MyQul mentioned. I've just tasted a started I'm building up from Duvel bottle dregs. I thought it was infected from the smell but on tasting it was lovely.

Glad it isn't just me then.. we are the head chefs afterall :lol:

 

[Deadhead]

No, but on the basis that all knowledge is power - I'm defo gonna start now!

Me too! I never even thought to, but makes complete sense.