discooby
Well-Known Member
First time poster, potential first time brewer (if package finally arrives).
The winter months here in Las Vegas offer a limited time out of the year to brew (temp wise) and Ive decided to try my hand at cider. I ordered some dry yeast from an online brew-store (2 weeks ago!!! Sorry Santa, milk this year, cider next) and the package has been sitting at a FedEx holding facility in St. Paul, MN for 5 days now where the temps are bouncing around 6 degrees F.
Ive heard of people freezing their yeast but we all know 6 degrees is well below freezing; a temp that can destroy most cells.
My question/s: how viable will this yeast be when it finally arrives here in Vegas? Will I be sorely disappointed at my first brewing attempt? Does dry, dormant yeast have super powers? Or is the lesson learned: order your yeast during the summer, newbie!?
I do plan to use a yeast nutrient and energizer.
Side thought
Lets say that a commercial transport flies at an altitude of between 20K and 40K feet; if the cargo cabin (say from a FedEx parcel transport) isnt pressurized then the internal temperatures at this altitude can drop below -30F (even if its pressurized the holds might not be heated well for inanimate objects). That said, most home brewers with no LHBS order online and have their yeast delivered giving, at worst case, the yeast time to chill-out for several hours during its flight at this temp with no harm (???).
Thanks in advance for your thoughts! Cheers!
P.S. Though they hover around $0.80 a packet, a 2 week wait makes them more valuable.
I ordered:
Lalvin K1V-1116 Montpellier
Lalvin EC-1118 Champagne
Red Star Pasteur Champagne
The winter months here in Las Vegas offer a limited time out of the year to brew (temp wise) and Ive decided to try my hand at cider. I ordered some dry yeast from an online brew-store (2 weeks ago!!! Sorry Santa, milk this year, cider next) and the package has been sitting at a FedEx holding facility in St. Paul, MN for 5 days now where the temps are bouncing around 6 degrees F.
Ive heard of people freezing their yeast but we all know 6 degrees is well below freezing; a temp that can destroy most cells.
My question/s: how viable will this yeast be when it finally arrives here in Vegas? Will I be sorely disappointed at my first brewing attempt? Does dry, dormant yeast have super powers? Or is the lesson learned: order your yeast during the summer, newbie!?
I do plan to use a yeast nutrient and energizer.
Side thought
Lets say that a commercial transport flies at an altitude of between 20K and 40K feet; if the cargo cabin (say from a FedEx parcel transport) isnt pressurized then the internal temperatures at this altitude can drop below -30F (even if its pressurized the holds might not be heated well for inanimate objects). That said, most home brewers with no LHBS order online and have their yeast delivered giving, at worst case, the yeast time to chill-out for several hours during its flight at this temp with no harm (???).
Thanks in advance for your thoughts! Cheers!
P.S. Though they hover around $0.80 a packet, a 2 week wait makes them more valuable.
I ordered:
Lalvin K1V-1116 Montpellier
Lalvin EC-1118 Champagne
Red Star Pasteur Champagne