possible bunk yeast
#1
Posted 26 May 2009 - 12:22 PM
#2
Posted 26 May 2009 - 12:32 PM
You pitched an uninflated smack pack without a starter yesterday and you're worried that you haven't seen anything? I'm not surprised. You've got another couple of days to wait IMO.sooo I have a batch going right now that still hasn't taken off. No krausen, no fermentation period. I smacked a pack of wyeast 1214 at 10am on sunday and by mid afternoon monday it still wasn't puffed....so I pitched anyway and am waiting to see. I think more belgian abby comes into the LHBS on thursday - should I wait that long (brewed sunday, pitched monday) or should I pitch the pack of nottingham I have for emergencies in the fridge? I was going to use the belgian slurry for something huge so if you guys think it'll be ok until thursday I'll probably leave it....
#3
Posted 26 May 2009 - 01:37 PM
#4
Posted 26 May 2009 - 01:42 PM
I think what Denny's getting at is that you underpitched fairly severely so it's a little early to be worried that the yeast isn't viable. Give it two more days and if you still don't have any activity, it's now time to consider re-pitching.sorry if I wasn't clear, I am pretty unconcerned. I am curious if I can get away with waiting for more belgian or if you think it'd be risky to go for four days without activity without repitching another strain. Does that make sense?
#5
Posted 26 May 2009 - 01:47 PM
#6
Posted 26 May 2009 - 03:00 PM
#7
Posted 26 May 2009 - 05:11 PM
#8
Posted 26 May 2009 - 05:32 PM
#9
Posted 26 May 2009 - 05:42 PM
#10
Posted 27 May 2009 - 05:14 AM
#11
Posted 27 May 2009 - 05:39 AM
#12
Posted 27 May 2009 - 02:27 PM
#13
Posted 28 May 2009 - 06:21 AM
In my opinion, you should be worried. But for another reason.Underpitching in homebrewing is, in my experience, the biggest cause of contaminated and ultimately ruined batches of beer. Every hour that your yeast is not eating sugar you can bet that there are bacteria that are. And they grow WAY faster than yeast.Maybe you will get some crazy flavours, but not the right ones.....I always have and will preach STARTERS for homebrewers.BrewBasseryeah I am really just asking because I am planning whether or not I'll need a trip to the LHBS on thursday haha. I'm not worried about the beer. Funny brew day, I forgot the yeast at my friend's house. haha I think that brew day was the epitome of RDWHAHB.I am aware I underpitched, I am hoping for some crazy belgian flavours as a result..... maybe I'll ramp it up around 78 df once it gets going too... haha.
#14
Posted 28 May 2009 - 07:14 AM
Edited by zymot, 28 May 2009 - 07:19 AM.
#15
Posted 28 May 2009 - 07:38 AM
It is my opinion that a single smack pack and 5 gallons of wort is underpitching, but that is my opinion.Quick check to their website:Edit: just saw you response that it is working. Edited to retain some of the now relevant comments.I believe Wyeast says their smackpak does not increase the cell count. The purpose of the smackpack is to confirm viability of and wake up the yeast and get them ready for making beer. So you did not underpitch from a cell count standpoint any more than you would have if it was swollen.zymot
This is about half the cells that I would pitch for a 13 plato beer, but isn't as bad as it used to be. They used to sell less cells.Of course they are telling you how many cells are in the pack, not the viable cells, which I am sure is far far less than the totall cells.BrewBasserAn Activator contains approximately 100 billion cells which will deliver slightly less than 6 million cells per milliliter to a 5 gallon batch of beer.
#16
Posted 28 May 2009 - 10:38 AM
That is why I added the qualifier of:It is my opinion that a single smack pack and 5 gallons of wort is underpitching, but that is my opinion.This is about half the cells that I would pitch for a 13 plato beer, but isn't as bad as it used to be. They used to sell less cells.Of course they are telling you how many cells are in the pack, not the viable cells, which I am sure is far far less than the totall cells.BrewBasser
In Other Words" A swollen smackpack does significantly change/improve the level of underpitching.So you did not underpitch from a cell count standpoint any more than you would have if it was swollen.
#17
Posted 31 May 2009 - 09:20 PM
#18
Posted 01 June 2009 - 06:05 AM
smells yummy, took a sample and it went 1.060 to 1.018 so far.... should drop the rest in short form :cheers:Lately I have been using the dry yeasts available to me to try and understand what they are capable of as well as saving a little money. This round the circumstances just worked out this way but I'm really not worried about it. It'll be beer though you are very right brewbasser and I would normally ensure my pitching rate matches what mister malty tells me.earthtone... how is your brew doing?Just took a gravity reading of my 1214 brew. OG was 1.085 and is now down to 1.016! 9% baby!
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