To pitch or not to pitch...

Plan on brewing 2 batches at my brother-in-law's house next weekend. He lives an hour away. My question is, should I pitch my yeast at his house and then take the fermenters home with an hour of a bumpy car ride or should I wait to get home to pitch the yeast? I always aerate prior to pitching so does it matter if the yeast is in there and then the fermenters "slosh around" in the car or not?

 

I'll bet you a shiny nickel if you pitched one before and one after and tasted them when they're both done you couldn't possibly tell the difference

 

Bumpy, sloshing makes no difference. My only concern would be temperature. If you can reach you pitching temp and then keep the temp in the range you want on the way home, there is no reason not to pitch.

If you need to chill the wort when you get home, then wait and pitch.

I heard Dr. Scott on the Brewing Network say he gives his lagers more O2 in the morning if they don't start overnight... so I would not be concerned about adding O2 early in the fermentation (if needed).

Legally you will be transporting a lot of "beer" if you add yeast... but without yeast legally it is only wort. Hate to see the Feds lock you up!

 

If you pitch before you leave then you will have your beer one hour earlier than if you wait. Beside, it could work into the name of you beer.

On the road again pale ale
or
Bum-pity bump bump brown ale

 

pitch when it's at the proper temperature- that's more important. I brew places then drive home all the time. I usually need another hour in the temp fridge first then I pitch.

 

I can't think of anything detrimental either way. Pitch when it's most convenient.

 

Just remember, if the beer turns out good enough to want to make again, and you pitched at his house, you'll have to repeat that every time. :fro:

 

Well, I sure as heck better be able to tell the difference because I'm making 2 different beers - NB's Brickwarmer Red and AIH's Vanilla Porter, but I didn't mention that in the OP - just that I was making 2 batches

Technically, it would not be "beer" in my car on the drive home until AFTER the fermentation was complete, correct? Not that I'm worried about that... my wife wil drive home that evening - it's the same day as MSU vs. UM.

Maybe I'll just pitch when I get home - one less thing to worry about on the Brew Day at his house anyway...

 

I believe it becomes beer the moment you add the yeast.

 

Wait till you get home so you can pitch at the proper temperature. I have waited over a day to pitch and as long as your sanitation is good you should have no ill effects

 

^^^^this. Also depending on your local statutes, if you pitch your yeast before getting home you're technically transporting alcohol in an open container. Picky I know but not worth the risk!

 

If my car is about 70 degrees, what's the difference? I was more curious if the sloshing around with yeast pitched was bad for the beer - I think the temp issues most people are bringing up are not really a factor here.