daveyohill
Active Member
I understand that dry yeast viability is improved with rehydration prior to pitching (according to Jamil anyway).
To re-hydrate I boil 1 cup of water to sterilize and then cool off tin foil covered in a pyrex measuring cup. When the water is below 80degF. I sprinkle the yeast into the water to rehydrate.
The last two times I've done this with S-05 the yeast formed a barrier at surface and even after letting it sit for 1/2hr a major portion of the yeast required stirring to incorporate into the water. It was clumpy and needed stirring to produce a slurry.
When I've done this with S-04 the yeast immediately falls into solution and produces a foamy slurry without stirring within 15 minutes.
Is this a common experience with this yeast?
Do you even bother rehydrating with this yeast.
After 12 hours in primary the airlock has started bubbling every 15-20 seconds so I'm guessing everything is OK. My last beer was fermenting vigorously after 24 hours. I just wonder if I really need to sweat this detail to produce great beer.
To re-hydrate I boil 1 cup of water to sterilize and then cool off tin foil covered in a pyrex measuring cup. When the water is below 80degF. I sprinkle the yeast into the water to rehydrate.
The last two times I've done this with S-05 the yeast formed a barrier at surface and even after letting it sit for 1/2hr a major portion of the yeast required stirring to incorporate into the water. It was clumpy and needed stirring to produce a slurry.
When I've done this with S-04 the yeast immediately falls into solution and produces a foamy slurry without stirring within 15 minutes.
Is this a common experience with this yeast?
Do you even bother rehydrating with this yeast.
After 12 hours in primary the airlock has started bubbling every 15-20 seconds so I'm guessing everything is OK. My last beer was fermenting vigorously after 24 hours. I just wonder if I really need to sweat this detail to produce great beer.