Trying to figure this one out - I have a few theories, but I'm looking for some help.
Here was my problem - I brewed NB's Nut Brown Extract kit, using dry Notty yeast and after 4 days I did not see the tiniest bit of fermentation.
The Brew:
I did about a 4gal boil. Other than adding about 5oz of maple syrup (grade A - yes I know I'm supposed to use B - I couldn't find any) with 15 mins left in the boil, I followed the directions to the T, and everything looked great.
Cleaning:
I used a 5gal glass carboy, which was scrubbed prior and filled with new Starsan water. I sanitized the scissors that opened the yeast, the brewballs (floating hydrometers), and my auto siphon all in the same Starsan water. I've made close to 20 kits now, have cleaned all the same way, and they have all fermented well.
Cooling the Wort:
I used a copper wort chiller and got it down to about 70deg before using my autosiphon to my carboy. I let it splash around a bit as I was siphoning.
Theory 1:
When chilling the wort, I had a small amount (less than 3oz) of the water from the wort chiller splash into the brew pot. I don't think this was the issue, as my wort chiller was boiled and my water is usually pretty good (despite being from heavily polluted Lake Erie ).
Theory 2:
I chilled the wort to 70. This took about 15 mins. I added the 3.5 gallons or so from the pot to the carboy. I THEN added the dry yeast. THEN added another 1.5 gal of cold water from my tap. Did this anger the yeast somehow? I did not re-hydrate the yeast before pitching.
Theory 3:
I had bad yeast. I got it with this kit, less than 2 months ago. I bought the kit when the temps were kind of warm, and the transport took about 4 days. Immediately after receiving it I put it in my fridge until brew day. I took it out of the fridge about 4 hours before I brewed. The temps in the closet for the 4 days was about 65degs.
I know I know, people say "sometimes yeast takes a while and don't worry, relax...". I feel that way too. The thing is I've used dry notty yeast a number of times and it usually starts no later than 48 hours for me. This was 4 entire days later without the slightest sign of fermentation (no krausen, no color changes, no small bubbles anywhere, nothing - just dark, black, wort).
Regardless, fear not! I did not dump the kit. I added another packet of notty yeast right to the top yesterday around 6pm. Today at 6pm it had a full krausen, it's bubbling nicely, and everything looks as it should. I was just wondering what the hell went wrong originally???
Thanks for any input!
Here was my problem - I brewed NB's Nut Brown Extract kit, using dry Notty yeast and after 4 days I did not see the tiniest bit of fermentation.
The Brew:
I did about a 4gal boil. Other than adding about 5oz of maple syrup (grade A - yes I know I'm supposed to use B - I couldn't find any) with 15 mins left in the boil, I followed the directions to the T, and everything looked great.
Cleaning:
I used a 5gal glass carboy, which was scrubbed prior and filled with new Starsan water. I sanitized the scissors that opened the yeast, the brewballs (floating hydrometers), and my auto siphon all in the same Starsan water. I've made close to 20 kits now, have cleaned all the same way, and they have all fermented well.
Cooling the Wort:
I used a copper wort chiller and got it down to about 70deg before using my autosiphon to my carboy. I let it splash around a bit as I was siphoning.
Theory 1:
When chilling the wort, I had a small amount (less than 3oz) of the water from the wort chiller splash into the brew pot. I don't think this was the issue, as my wort chiller was boiled and my water is usually pretty good (despite being from heavily polluted Lake Erie ).
Theory 2:
I chilled the wort to 70. This took about 15 mins. I added the 3.5 gallons or so from the pot to the carboy. I THEN added the dry yeast. THEN added another 1.5 gal of cold water from my tap. Did this anger the yeast somehow? I did not re-hydrate the yeast before pitching.
Theory 3:
I had bad yeast. I got it with this kit, less than 2 months ago. I bought the kit when the temps were kind of warm, and the transport took about 4 days. Immediately after receiving it I put it in my fridge until brew day. I took it out of the fridge about 4 hours before I brewed. The temps in the closet for the 4 days was about 65degs.
I know I know, people say "sometimes yeast takes a while and don't worry, relax...". I feel that way too. The thing is I've used dry notty yeast a number of times and it usually starts no later than 48 hours for me. This was 4 entire days later without the slightest sign of fermentation (no krausen, no color changes, no small bubbles anywhere, nothing - just dark, black, wort).
Regardless, fear not! I did not dump the kit. I added another packet of notty yeast right to the top yesterday around 6pm. Today at 6pm it had a full krausen, it's bubbling nicely, and everything looks as it should. I was just wondering what the hell went wrong originally???
Thanks for any input!