Shelf life of unfermented wort

neckbone · 07-27-2007, 03:45 PM

An earlier post has me thinking. What is the shelflife of unfermented wort? If I brewed 3 or 4 batches of a hefe, or something else, can I keep some in a carboy or bucket w/out adding yeast, then add to the yeast cake after the one in primary is transferred to secondary or the keg? Figuring 7-10 days for primary, that would have one or more batches sitting w/out yeast for a month or so. Is that bad?

Beerrific · 07-27-2007, 03:50 PM

Probably a bad idea. Even with good sanitation there is a high risk that your wort has buggers in it. Under normal circumstances the yeast are pitched and there is such a large population that they crowd out the bacteria, wild yeast, etc. Leaving wort without yeast or refrigeration is asking for an infection.

**Bobby_M** · 07-27-2007, 03:53 PM

Why not ferment now and store finished beer instead. Much more stable.

homebrewer_99 · 07-27-2007, 03:58 PM

Well, is it going to be in the fridge or the counter?

When I remove 5 C of wort (gyle) for kreusening my Hefe Weizens I place the jug in the fridge and seal it. It's in there for about 10-14 days.

I haven't had any problems yet.

I've pitched a batch on a yeast cake 3 days old, but it still had aa inch or so of brew on top of it and was sealed.

**DeathBrewer** · 07-27-2007, 05:34 PM

i guess you could leave it in the fridge, even re-boil it for 10 minutes, then cool and pitch. but it still sounds like a bad idea.

homebrewer_99 · 07-27-2007, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeathBrewer

i guess you could leave it in the fridge, even re-boil it for 10 minutes, then cool and pitch. but it still sounds like a bad idea.

All the instructions I've read about using gyle says to remove it from the fridge so it can come up to room temp before using.

neckbone · 07-27-2007, 06:20 PM

Guess that's a nogo. I'll just have to brew to pitch onto the cake. That's why you ask questions before you go and completely ruin 15-20 gallons of perfectly good wort.