Brewing my first batch using a gifted Mr Beer Kit. I decided to supe things up a little bit by adding some grains to the boil (half pound 60L crystal, along with a 10 min cascade hop boil, and replaced the Mr Beer yeast with Safale US-05.
I am about 32h in and see no visible signs of fermentation. I am trying to be patient but I am wondering if I may have killed my yeast during the rehydration process... I went to my local homebrew store and they told me it was best to rehydrate dry yeast (which I have found in my research to be quite the topic of debate) and said to 'boil some water in the microwave, add the yeast, and let it sit for 20 min before pitching.' I followed these instructions and pitched. since I have not seen any signs of fermentation at all, I have been brainstorming and am wondering if I may have killed the yeast as the water may have been to hot when I added the yeast. I didnt measure the temperature, but I looked up the US-05 rehydration instruction and I should have allowed the water to cool to 90 or so first.
I should also note that I did not aerate as vigorously as I maybe should have. The fermenter has been at 64F since the pitch.
I figured that I would give it a little bit more time, but I am not very optimistic its going to get started knowing i may have scorched the yeast and I am considering buying more US-05 and repitching. If so, I am thinking I will activate at the proper temperature and aerate, unless aerating with all the theoretically dead yeast is a bad idea.
Any input is appreciated!
I am about 32h in and see no visible signs of fermentation. I am trying to be patient but I am wondering if I may have killed my yeast during the rehydration process... I went to my local homebrew store and they told me it was best to rehydrate dry yeast (which I have found in my research to be quite the topic of debate) and said to 'boil some water in the microwave, add the yeast, and let it sit for 20 min before pitching.' I followed these instructions and pitched. since I have not seen any signs of fermentation at all, I have been brainstorming and am wondering if I may have killed the yeast as the water may have been to hot when I added the yeast. I didnt measure the temperature, but I looked up the US-05 rehydration instruction and I should have allowed the water to cool to 90 or so first.
I should also note that I did not aerate as vigorously as I maybe should have. The fermenter has been at 64F since the pitch.
I figured that I would give it a little bit more time, but I am not very optimistic its going to get started knowing i may have scorched the yeast and I am considering buying more US-05 and repitching. If so, I am thinking I will activate at the proper temperature and aerate, unless aerating with all the theoretically dead yeast is a bad idea.
Any input is appreciated!