This morning I boiled up a Belgian Harvest Ale, but I think I mishandled the yeast out of sheer ignorance.
I smacked my Wyeast a few days ago, but it didn't swell until last night, perhaps because of temperature? The real problem though, came when I went to pitch the yeast, and opening the package to find an extra packet. Confused, I decided to pitch the yeast and cut open the small inner packet and pitch that too. Later I found out that the small inner packet was the "nutrient packet", but I'm not sure if it it harmful to my beer or not.
Also, if I need to pitch new yeast, do I have to order the same strain from Wyeast? Or can I find something similar at my local homebrew shop?
I smacked my Wyeast a few days ago, but it didn't swell until last night, perhaps because of temperature? The real problem though, came when I went to pitch the yeast, and opening the package to find an extra packet. Confused, I decided to pitch the yeast and cut open the small inner packet and pitch that too. Later I found out that the small inner packet was the "nutrient packet", but I'm not sure if it it harmful to my beer or not.
Also, if I need to pitch new yeast, do I have to order the same strain from Wyeast? Or can I find something similar at my local homebrew shop?