Way overdid yeast nutrient. Now what?

[YeastInfraction]

I accidentally dumped an entire vial of Wyeast dry yeast nutrient (instead of 1/2 tsp) into a 5 gallon batch of wort. Will this kill the batch, and is there anything I can do to salvage this batch?

 

[MaxStout]

Username checks out

No unringing that bell. I don't think it will hurt you, though it may end up with a bit of ammonia aroma. But don't give up on the beer. Maybe it will work out OK. You'll just have to ride it out and see.

 

[uweschmitt]

Might kill the yeast since the nutrient also contains zinc which can be toxic to yeast in higher amounts. But I have no idea how to fix your mistake.

 

[RM-MN]

Buy 3 more bucket fermenters and make 3 more batches of beer, then mix the current batch into the 3 you have just made?

 

[uweschmitt]

Buy 3 more bucket fermenters and make 3 more batches of beer, then mix the current batch into the 3 you have just made?

One vial usually is enough for about 20 batches, not sure if dilution of a factor of 3 is enough to not poison the yeast with zinc. Regrettably Wyaest does not publish the exact composition of their nutrient to estimate a suitable dilution factor.

 

[Protos]

I doubt that the yeast will be killed, but an excess of nutrient imparts a metallic / bloody twang even at a way lower overdosage. Just taste the young beer. If the blood is there, it won't age away.

 

[uweschmitt]

I tried to figure out why I thought that zinc can kill yeast, but did not find anything. What I found is that excessive zinc can stress yeast and thus affect flavor. E.g. Speed Up Fermentation Timelines with Zinc | White Labs

 

[DBhomebrew]

If the blood is there, it won't age away.

I've got a couple 18mo+ gallons of mead in the basement that concurs.

 

[jumpincactusjacks]

Buy 3 more bucket fermenters and make 3 more batches of beer, then mix the current batch into the 3 you have just made?

Why chance tainting 3 other batches. Wait and see the results and either drink or dump out in the woods.

 

[YeastInfraction]

Well, it’s fermenting at least. Will see what it tastes like.

 

[Miraculix]

Throw in tons of invert/sugar and see if you can get the yeast to eat all??

I don't know, will probably be a dumper anyway. You can taste the young beer and if it tastes wrong dump in a few kg of sugar and see how it goes. Sugar is cheap.