Rehydrated Yeast sat 3 hours, still good?

Hi all,

I brewed my first starter kit last night. It was for an Amber Ale and it was a blast. In researching leading up, I read that dry yeast should be re-hydrated before adding to the wort. Even though the package said it didn't need to be re-hydrated, I did it anyways.

Problem is I re-hydrated the yeast as one of the first steps because that was the 1st step in the instructions. By the time I added it to the wort, it had been sitting, covered for three hours, and didn't look too active. Post brew I read that re-hydration should be done and added to wort within 30 minutes.

It has been about 10 hours since adding the yeast. I am seeing the CO2 bubble every 5 seconds or so. Should I let it be? Is the yeast doing its thing? Should I sprinkle some dry yeast on top as a reinforcement?

I learned a lot in this first brew and am looking forward to the 2nd. Thanks for helping out a newbie.

Nick

 

Welcome to the hobby. Yes, let it be. You mention as you rehydrated it didn't look active. I'm guessing your fluid was water, if so, you have nothing for the yeast to process so no bubbling, like when proofing yeast for baking.

 

It will be OK. There is something in the engineering of the yeast that feeds, energizes the yeast. They will deplete these reserves in about 30 minutes, so it is best to pitch by then. Unless you pitch the yeast into a really high gravity beer, which would stress it, there should be no problem.

Except for the timing you did right. It is said that sprinkling the yeast on the surface, stresses the yeast and might even kill up to 50% of the cells.

 

I've had problems come up during brewing that caused the yeast to sit in the rehydrating water for an hour or more, and it didn't affect the beer at all. One was a .065 OG, so I am guessing that you'll have no issues. Fermentation kicking off within 10 hours is definitely a reasonable start time for a rehydrated dry pitch.

I'd say RDWHAHB, but since this is your first batch, RDWHA commercial beer

 

I emailed Danstar about delay after rehydrating. Their answer was "Our technical manager suggests that you don't go longer than 30 minutes after the start of rehydration before pitching the yeast into wort as the yeast needs nutrients. If there is a delay you could actually add more wort to the rehydration water to give the yeast something to eat while you are waiting to pitch it, so long as it isn't too hot." From the posts here, it sounds like you're probably ok, but pitching within 30 minutes or adding some cooled wort would be better practice in the future.

 

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I appreciate it. You calmed my fears.I took notes on the first brew, so I know what/when to tweak on the 2nd.

Nick