Pitch more yeast? Slow fermentation.

[jason81]

Yes I know this is a topic that has probably been brought up too many times but I'm looking for a few opinions and I only have internet on my phone so searching through the threads is a pain.

I brewed an all grain APA 12 days ago. Pitched rehydrated us-05. Fermentation took off within 12 hrs but after the 2nd night temps dropped and all krausen dissipated and no further action in the airlock. I just let it be though. OG was 1.060, day7 1.026, day 9 1.024 and today the 12th day its at 1.020. So its still going. Just really slow. OK I think its becoming apparent that I should just wait it out a bit longer and that 5 -8 points isn't much to go but would anybody else recommend pitching more yeast? Maybe just half a packet. I wanted to force carb 2 batches I brewed at the same time for the weekend. My heffweizen had no problems fermenting. My mash temp was 153.

 

[pvault98]

You really should let it go. I would recommend swirling carboy/bucket a few times to rouse as much yeast into suspension and possibly warming it up depending on the current temp. You can easily warm that beer to the mid-70's without risk of off flavors at this point. Those two actions will help the yeast get going again. I don't use dry yeast so can't comment on that aspect of the repitch, however with liquid yeast you would make a starter and pitch at high krausen into an existing beer. If you just pitch directly into a beer that has little to no oxygen and contains alcohol, the yeast will likely all die. Your best bet those is swirling and warming...I wouldn't bother repitching.

 

[YeastMode]

You really should let it go. I would recommend swirling carboy/bucket a few times to rouse as much yeast into suspension and possibly warming it up depending on the current temp. You can easily warm that beer to the mid-70's without risk of off flavors at this point. Those two actions will help the yeast get going again. I don't use dry yeast so can't comment on that aspect of the repitch, however with liquid yeast you would make a starter and pitch at high krausen into an existing beer. If you just pitch directly into a beer that has little to no oxygen and contains alcohol, the yeast will likely all die. Your best bet those is swirling and warming...I wouldn't bother repitching.

I have used US-05 before and what pvault98 said has worked for me in the past. As a guide, I usually wait at least 2 weeks in the primary before taking a reading when using dry yeast, especially if not rehydrated.

Good luck!

 

[jason81]

Thanks. I will give it a bit of a rock back an forth and see if that helps. The carboy is sitting at 70 degrees taken with an infrared so it should be OK. Usually I am pretty patient and leave batches sit for 2 weeks minimum as well but I haven't brewed in quite awhile so I am anxious and already planning a couple more batches. Plus I have had US-05 stop short on me before so I was a bit worried. That's why I took so many readings to make sure it was actually still going. I think I'm going to start using liquid year more often and I'm planning on washing the yeast from my heffe for the first time when I keg it in a few days.

 

[YeastMode]

Thanks. I will give it a bit of a rock back an forth and see if that helps. The carboy is sitting at 70 degrees taken with an infrared so it should be OK. Usually I am pretty patient and leave batches sit for 2 weeks minimum as well but I haven't brewed in quite awhile so I am anxious and already planning a couple more batches. Plus I have had US-05 stop short on me before so I was a bit worried. That's why I took so many readings to make sure it was actually still going. I think I'm going to start using liquid year more often and I'm planning on washing the yeast from my heffe for the first time when I keg it in a few days.

FWIW, when using dry yeast and higher OGs, I just pitch 2 packets and have had good results.