winkkle

Recipes 

First time using liquid yeast and have a couple question. Is it necessary to let the smack pack to incubate for 3 or more hours? And if so can I go ahead and pour the wort into the carboy and wait a couple hours to pitch?

JTylerSingletary

Recipes 

The 3 hours is a "proofing" time to verify viable yeast. It is not necessary to wait the 3 hours, however it may increase the lag time if you smack then immediately pitch. In short, it's best to make sure it's viable, but it is not required.

duboman

Recipes 

No and yes to your questions

Be aware that unless you are brewing a beer that has an OG of 1.040 or less you are most likely under pitching your beer.

If you continue to use liquid strains learn how to make starters. Use Www.mrmalty.com or Www.yestvalc.com to calculate pitch rates for appropriate sized starters.

This is not to say your beer will not ferment but your fermentations and your beer will be better for making them

__________________
Nothing Left to do but smile and drink beer.....

The Commune Brewing Company-Perfecting the "art" of beer since 2010

winkkle

Recipes 

Yea I usually use dry yeast. So this whole
Liquid yeast is all new.

mclaughlindw4

Recipes 

I just used the Mr. Malty calculator for my 1.038 OG saison I will be brewing and it says I need to start with two packages of liquid yeast (because the yeast was dated in november, the viability is calculated at 38%). This seems rediculous. Does this assume the small vials of yeast and not the smack packs? Also it only works with 1 liter starters and I plan on doing closer to a 2 liter starter. Why can't I change this in the calculator?

duboman

Recipes 

Use yeast calc, you can change more settings.

__________________
Nothing Left to do but smile and drink beer.....

The Commune Brewing Company-Perfecting the "art" of beer since 2010

mclaughlindw4

Recipes 

That's way better. Thank you.

winkkle

Recipes 

Came home to my blowoff tube out if a glass. Liquid on the counter. I will say this is the most vigorous fermentation I've had and its either I've been under pitching or this one is how it should be. I usually see bubbles in the glass and krausen on the carboy but never this much krausen in the tube and in the glass of Sanitizer.

Revvy

Recipes 

From the horse's mouth.

Smacking though fun, is never really necessary.

Making the starter is all that matters, not whether or not the pack inflating. It's fine!!!
There's no need to start with a smaller starter or anything. Just proceed as normal.

Heck I rarely even bother waiting for it to inflate, I pop the nutrient pack, give it a shake, and dump it into my starter wort. Saves waiting.

__________________
Like my snazzy new avatar? Get Sons of Zymurgy swag, here, and brew with the best.

Revvy's one of the cool reverends. He has a Harley and a t-shirt that says on the back "If you can read this, the bitch was Raptured. - Madman

I gotta tell ya, just between us girls, that Revvy is HOT. Very tall, gorgeous grey hair and a terrific smile. He's very good looking in person, with a charismatic personality... he drives like a ****ing maniac! - YooperBrew

unionrdr

Recipes 

__________________
Everything works if ya let it-Roady(meatloaf)