Stuck ferment with washed hefe yeast

p4ck37p1mp · 07-28-2008, 12:50 PM

I just made a quasi-hefe (sort of half amber and half hefe) and used WL German Hefe yeast, I pitched Friday and still no sign of fermentation. I had washed this yeast from another batch of hefe, have had it in the fridge for a couple of months. I've re-used yeast before with no issues, in fact it starts fermenting much much faster normally. I'm wondering whats up with this hefe yeast and am considering pitching some other yeast that I have just to get it going. My fermentation room is in the basement where it stays 68-70 all the time, I can't imagine its temperature as theres a batch of amber right next to it fermenting away. I'm pretty sure I'm just going to re-pitch with another jar of washed yeast, most likely some from a batch of amber (WL Cali Ale).

**Yooper** · 07-28-2008, 12:56 PM

I always do a starter when I use washed yeast- it's possible that your yeast are still "sleepy" and will take a while to get going without a starter. It's also possible that the yeast isn't viable.

Do you have more of the same yeast? If you make a starter now, and see if the yeast is viable, then if needed you can pitch it later.

p4ck37p1mp · 07-28-2008, 12:59 PM

I've never needed a starter before, but I've never washed hefe yeast before, maybe its just different. I just used the last of my DME, need to order some more. That was the last of that yeast, it was a quart of it, I can't believe it hasn't started yet, usually I see activity within hours of pitching. I just ordered some more WL German Hefe yeast, maybe it will start before I get it.

p4ck37p1mp · 07-28-2008, 01:06 PM

Ha, funny enough I just went down and looked, its going now. I guess I should have gone and looked before I posted. =P

**Yooper** · 07-28-2008, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by p4ck37p1mp

Ha, funny enough I just went down and looked, its going now. I guess I should have gone and looked before I posted. =P

It must have heard you posting......................

Piotr · 07-28-2008, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by p4ck37p1mp

I had washed this yeast from another batch of hefe, have had it in the fridge for a couple of months.

Hefe yeast are particularly sensitive, 2 week old slurry is too old. Once I used 1 month old slurry, beer was +/- OK. But several months??

p4ck37p1mp · 07-28-2008, 04:43 PM

I didn't realize that, too late now, just have to see what happens. I do find it odd that they can produce this yeast, put it in tubes, sell it, we buy and use / store it and we can't collect it and store it more or less the same way.

Piotr · 07-28-2008, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by p4ck37p1mp

I didn't realize that, too late now, just have to see what happens.

Don't wait too long, if it didn't start since friday, most likely it won't start at all. If you have an emergency packet of dry yeast, pitch it. If no, pitch the yeast from Amber Ale.

Quote:

I do find it odd that they can produce this yeast, put it in tubes, sell it, we buy and use / store it and we can't collect it and store it more or less the same way.

I'm not sure how, but they make yeast in peak shape, young, clean, with proper glycogen reserves. Slurry had contact with alcohol, wort, the yeast in a slurry are slowly dying out. Hefe yeast faster than other.

**ShortSnoutBrewing** · 07-28-2008, 05:36 PM

Oh no, you guys have me all worried now. I washed yeast from my last batch of American Wheat that I'm going to be using this weekend. I guess I'll make a starter on Wed and if nothing happens make a quick run to the LHBS.

**HokieHomeBrew** · 07-18-2011, 07:40 PM

I had the same problem today. I made 10 gallons of Hefeweizen..5 gallons I used Wyeast yeast and the other 5 gallons I pitched with a washed WL hefe yeast...the wyeast activator pack is bubbling like crazy this morning...the other is doing nothing...it's only been like 15 hours but I'm still worried. I'm going to check it again after work today.