Andrew I use White Labs.  I am happier with the lager strains and I need to make a larger starter anyway.  John Katics -------- Original message -------- From: Andrew Ruggles <kingator(a)gmail.com> Date:12/29/2013 4:19 PM (GMT-06:00) To: TheBarn <mba(a)thebarn.com> Subject: [mba] Wyeast Activator off-flavors Second time in 2 brews this season, and we've noticed that the Wyeast Activator packages are off-gassing a plastic aroma in our starters. It's really hard to get past this when sampling our starters to determine if we should pitch them or not. We have not experienced this aroma with the White Labs yeasts. Anyone else picking up this off-aromas? Andrew