Ask The Brewmasters

We've been storing yeast in brinks that are modified 1/2 bbl kegs, and have been having issues with homogenizing the brink before counting.  Does anyone have any tips for agitation methods for these type of modified brinks?

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Monica Mondragon
Brewery Operations Manager
Steel Bender Brewyard
Albuquerque NM
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We set our brink on a circular platform with wheels that fits tight to the bottom of the brink. The method that has worked for us is agitating by quickly moving the brink back/forth/circular motion while on its wheels and then taking a cell count right after harvest. Not perfect, but it's done the job!

Riley Wertenberger
Alma Mader Brewing, KCMO

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Riley Wertenberger
Brewer / Quality Control
Alma Mader Brewing
Kansas City MO
(913) 709-5195
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Again, not a perfect method by any means:
If we knew it would be stored several days we would count it from the middle brink pulled from the tank before putting them all in the cooler with air locks. When we were ready to brew we'd pull it out, close & remove the air lock, and tip it on its side and roll it around the brewery for a few minutes before pulling a sample. If your total concentration (live + dead) is similar then you should know you shook it well enough. 

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Kathryn Way
Oskar Blues Brewery
Brevard NC
(828) 883-2337
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