Is my yeast dead - where do I go from here?

wrigh1st · May 18, 2009

During my first attempt at brewing beer I think I may have killed the yeast by pitching when the wort was way too hot. How will I know if I killed it? If I did kill it is there anything I can do to save it?

Please help! Thanks

Zen_Brew · May 18, 2009

What do you think the temperature was when you pitched it?

Parker36 · May 18, 2009

What temp did you pitch at? If you don't see any activity (airlock, krausen forming, etc) in the next few days, that would be a sign there isn't anything active.

McGarnigle · May 18, 2009

There's nothing you can do to save it. You can pitch more yeast though.

If you get no activity in your fermentor based on a hydrometer reading (not just airlock bubbles) after, oh, four days, then I'd assume it's dead. Of course, if you know you pitched it into 150 degree wort, then it's dead regardless.

bull8042 · May 18, 2009

Unless you have an incredibly small mouth, oral resuscitation is out of the question!

To start with, what was the temp at which you pitched?
2, how long has it bee since you pitched?
3, Type of yeast?

wrigh1st · May 18, 2009

I'm pretty sure it was over 140...I just did it about 20 minutes ago. If it is dead, do I have to dump it?

Parker36 · May 18, 2009

No, you can just add more yeast (when it cools)

wrigh1st · May 18, 2009

it was a dry ale yeast

wrigh1st · May 18, 2009

thanks for the help...so if I go get more yeast I should be able to add it tomorrow night and it won't hurt anything?

Zen_Brew · May 18, 2009

If you pitched at 140 you need to do another pitch with more yeast (when it is below 80 degrees) The original pitch shouldn't hurt the beer.

Parker36 · May 18, 2009

Zen_Brew said:
If you pitched at 140 you need to do another pitch with more yeast (when it is below 80 degrees) The original pitch shouldn't hurt the beer.

What he said.

springer · May 19, 2009

the first pitch will be food for the 2nd nothing to worry about.

Is my yeast dead - where do I go from here?

Help Support Homebrew Talk - Beer, Wine, Mead, & Cider Brewing Discussion Forum:

wrigh1st

Member

Zen_Brew

Well-Known Member

Parker36

Well-Known Member

McGarnigle

Well-Known Member

bull8042

I like 'em shaved

wrigh1st

Member

Parker36

Well-Known Member

wrigh1st

Member

wrigh1st

Member

Zen_Brew

Well-Known Member

Parker36

Well-Known Member

springer

Well-Known Member

Similar threads

Latest posts

Is my yeast dead - where do I go from here?

Help Support Homebrew Talk - Beer, Wine, Mead, & Cider Brewing Discussion Forum:

Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

I like 'em shaved

Member

Well-Known Member

Member

Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Similar threads

Join the conversation!

Join today and get all the highlights of this community direct to your inbox. It's FREE!