I have been brewing for a long time, and have never used a starter. I just pitch a smack pack each into a split batch of 10-12 gallons (two carboys) and it seems to never be over 6 hours to visual activity. So I decided to fix what was not broken, build me a stir plate and start using starters in the interest of better beer
So I grabbed 2 packs of 1056 at my LHBS on thurs. Upon purchase I noticed they were slightly inflated and asked the guy at the counter if they had been activated. I have never seen them with any inflation until you smack them, but he assured me he gets them like that all the time. So I ran with that, put them in the refridgerator until saturday. Pulled them out and pitched into 1000ml erlynmeyer at about 75f and started the stir plate. Brewing went perfect and finished up at about 2PM sunday. The wort was at 78F so I decided to cool to 64F before I pitched. I ended up aerating with pure oxygen and an aquarium stone (first time process) and pitching at 6PM. 64 degrees and all is well... Until this morning when I looked at it and expected them to be going strong. No air lock activity, but on one carboy a slight indication of a krausen starting. I probably am jumping the gun a little, but what do you all think? The starter was on the stir plate for 24 hours could it be finished and back asleep? The date on the 1056 was aug 16th so It should have been viable, but there was some question about it being a little inflated. When I opened them the inner bladders were still intacked. Hmmmm... I dont know. I guess I shouldn't have started so many new processes. Could narrow it down easier.
