Mr. Beer Yeast Alternative

I just got into "real" brewing but I am still doing some Mr. Beer kits. I typically don't get the level of fermentation I want from the yeast they provide. Would I be able to use a dry yeast packet from Safale instead. I am worried about the number of active yeast cells I'm adding to a two gallon batch. I know they reproduce but...

My next Mr. Beer kit is an IPA.

One other question...could I add the yeast they provide to my next boil to help fuel the yeast I use for that?

Thanks for the help in advance.

 

Yes. Shouldn't be a problem.

Yup. No problem there either.

 

Nothing wrong with the yeast in the MB kits, so long as it's not really old.

If you properly rehydrate it in 100*F (sterilized and cooled) tap water vs. sprinkling dry into the wort, that packet will give you more than enough cells for an LBK size batch.

Having about 2x more cells via rehydration will provide the complete ferment you are seeking. When you start doing 5g batches and use dry yeast, you'll want to rehydrate it as well.

 

I got my Mr. Beer kit going last night and used half a package of Safale s-04. Less than 24 hours later fermentation is very active. It's definitely more activity than I've ever had in the past. Mr. Beer is quick and easy between my 5 gallon batches and this will definitely be what I do in the future.

Thanks for the help.

 

Mr. Beer sells premium ingredient kits with their cans plus other ingredients which include Fermentis yeasts.

 

It was the Diablo IPA from their Craft Series. Something about the yeast under the lid doesn't seem reliable to me.

 

And they cost about the same (or more) as a 5-gallon batch kit. No thanks. I certainly don't mind spending money on this hobby (just ask my wife about my kegs, fermenter chamber and new lagering chamber), but I don't care for wasting it.

You can make some darn good beer in those LBKs, but I prefer to do those size batches with about 3lbs of LME (not hopped), some steeping grains and a couple of hop additions. I am sadly down to the last few bottles of a delicious Munich Dunkel (done as a faux-lager with Nottingham @ 55*F in an LBK) that was mostly a 3.3lb can of Briess Munich LME that cost me $10 at the LHBS.

If you can, try to keep that S-04 ferment under 68*F and certainly under 70* (unless you like fruity esters and other off-flavors - S-04 will give you some if too warm)

 

If you can, try to keep that S-04 ferment under 68*F and certainly under 70* (unless you like fruity esters and other off-flavors - S-04 will give you some if too warm)
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Thanks for the tip...I'm at about 68 right now.