Pitching Second Yeast

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markhagan

markhagan

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Hello!

I have brewed a Strong Belgian Pilsner. I pitched with WLP800 which is optimal @ 50-55°F (which I am unable to produce). My local brew store was out of WLP300 that I am used to so they suggested this yeast as a substitute. I didn't think much of it until two days later when it is still not fermenting.

I can now get my hands on WLP300 which does best at the 70°F I CAN produce. Can I pitch the WLP300 in the same container without horrific results?

Thanks in advance!!
(i will relax and drink a home brew after i get home from work ;))

edit: this thread probably belongs in the newb brewing section. this was the only category with "yeast" in the description. please move if required.
 
yea no problem mixing yeast like that. its a common way to unstick a fermentation. may not get the exact same results you would expect from just the one yeast but the beer will be perfectly fine. unless something else bad happens.
 
By now, the fermentation is probably about finished. Check the SG to see where it's at. If it's already started, the only thing accomplished by adding more yeast would be to waste $7.
 
I actually read in "Brew like a monk" that White Labs would reccommend mixing 2-3 different strains of Belgian yeasts in batches. This really helps you capitalize on the different characteristics of the yeast strains used. I would honestly see no problem in pitching two different types of yeast like that.
 
Glad I didn't freak out too bad. I arrived home this afternoon and it had started fermenting! It is going slow, but steady (one bubble every 2 seconds on average).

WLP800 has an optimal temp of 50-55. The best I can do is *maybe* 68. How does this change the brew?
 
markhagan said:
Glad I didn't freak out too bad. I arrived home this afternoon and it had started fermenting! It is going slow, but steady (one bubble every 2 seconds on average).

WLP800 has an optimal temp of 50-55. The best I can do is *maybe* 68. How does this change the brew?
Click to expand...

It'll be fruitier, maybe with some sulfur, and a totally different beer than if fermented at the proper temperatures. I'm amazed that your LHBS would suggest it as a sub for WLP300. That's not even close! That's like subbing tofu for sirloin steak. Still a protein, but world's apart.

WLP is a hefeweizen yeast, with banana and clove flavors (esters and phenols). Even a cleaner ale yeast would be a better sub than a lager yeast.

That lager yeast is meant for crisp, malty pilsners and you'll have a totally differerent beer than you expected.

I would ask the homebrew store why they suggested that sub. It's about as far apart in yeast strains as you could possibly get, from the optimum temperatures to the flavors they impart and the flocculation, etc.

Still, it's fermenting now, so let it go and see what you get. I guess if your brew is a Belgian pilsner, you'll get some fruitiness from fermenting the yeast higher than optimum temperatures. What's the rest of the recipe?
 
YooperBrew said:
It'll be fruitier, maybe with some sulfur, and a totally different beer than if fermented at the proper temperatures. I'm amazed that your LHBS would suggest it as a sub for WLP300. That's not even close! That's like subbing tofu for sirloin steak. Still a protein, but world's apart.

WLP is a hefeweizen yeast, with banana and clove flavors (esters and phenols). Even a cleaner ale yeast would be a better sub than a lager yeast.

That lager yeast is meant for crisp, malty pilsners and you'll have a totally differerent beer than you expected.

I would ask the homebrew store why they suggested that sub. It's about as far apart in yeast strains as you could possibly get, from the optimum temperatures to the flavors they impart and the flocculation, etc.

Still, it's fermenting now, so let it go and see what you get. I guess if your brew is a Belgian pilsner, you'll get some fruitiness from fermenting the yeast higher than optimum temperatures. What's the rest of the recipe?
Click to expand...

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f12/delerium-tremens-clone-6963/

That is the recipe I used. This is my third time making it. Last time I mixed up the grain a bit and used Coriander seeds rather than paradise.

I was able to fix the temperature a bit: I have a few un-used rooms in my house. I sat the bucket next to one of my air vents and built walls on two sides of it. (cornered it in) Then, I covered the whole thing with towels to trap the cold air: with a small hole to allow some flow to my cold air return. I am able to keep the temp of that area at 55-62 range. 62 when the HVAC is not running and 55 when it is.

I am not sad that the flavor will be different. That is my favorite part of brewing: enjoying the unique flavors of my screw-ups :).

Thanks for the help!!
 
markhagan said:
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f12/delerium-tremens-clone-6963/

That is the recipe I used. This is my third time making it. Last time I mixed up the grain a bit and used Coriander seeds rather than paradise.

I was able to fix the temperature a bit: I have a few un-used rooms in my house. I sat the bucket next to one of my air vents and built walls on two sides of it. (cornered it in) Then, I covered the whole thing with towels to trap the cold air: with a small hole to allow some flow to my cold air return. I am able to keep the temp of that area at 55-62 range. 62 when the HVAC is not running and 55 when it is.

I am not sad that the flavor will be different. That is my favorite part of brewing: enjoying the unique flavors of my screw-ups :).

Thanks for the help!!
Click to expand...

Due to the gravity cap on the WLP800, I am going to pitch a WLP540 Abbey this afternoon. This will allow me to disassemble my MacGyver setup and hopefully add an interesting twist to the brew.
 

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