trabus
Well-Known Member
So I just brewed a batch of Russian Imperial Stout this weekend using my first yeast starter. Today I realized that I made the starter about half the size called for in the recipe (recipe calls for 3 pint starter, I made a 1.5 pint starter: 3/4 cup of DME). I only saw "yeast starter" and didn't notice the size of the starter in the recipe. The OG for the recipe ended up at 1.083, and the yeast used was White Labs WLP001 California Ale yeast. I also didn't put yeast nutrients in during the boil because I couldn't find them.
Anyhow, it kicked off well, and went solid for 2 days, but then dropped off to no airlock activity at all 52 hours after pitching. I haven't seen any activity at all today (day 3), which made me start to wonder if the size of the starter may have been insufficient for the amount of alcohol that will be produced in the beer. I'm going to wait it out for a few more days before I even take a sample, I'm not going to start worrying yet.
My question is, if there isn't enough yeast to push through the full fermentation, what are my options?
Anyhow, it kicked off well, and went solid for 2 days, but then dropped off to no airlock activity at all 52 hours after pitching. I haven't seen any activity at all today (day 3), which made me start to wonder if the size of the starter may have been insufficient for the amount of alcohol that will be produced in the beer. I'm going to wait it out for a few more days before I even take a sample, I'm not going to start worrying yet.
My question is, if there isn't enough yeast to push through the full fermentation, what are my options?