3rd batch and a lot of "firsts" - please set my mind at ease

[PittATL]

Hello all,



For my 3rd batch, I bought this Weihenstephaner clone from AHS

http://www.austinhomebrew.com/produ...=1857&osCsid=60b5b9e1cfd671fb2f97f8421fc0e19c


This batch was a lot of firsts for me:

- first time using liquid yeast (wyeast 3068)
- first Hefe
- first time adding an ingredient on my own (vanilla beans)
- first time using a blowoff tube


It's been nearly 48 hrs in the carboy and I've seen absolutely no signs of fermentation at all. There is trub at the bottom, so that's good right?

I know it can take 72 hrs so I mainly want to know if I have the blowoff tube going right and if I handled the yeast correctly.


For the yeast, it was not shipped with a cold pack, I had it in the fridge until I started brewing. Took it out, set it outside for about an hour, then let it sit inside at room temp for about 2 hrs. Popped the activator pack, heard it bubbling/sizzling, and then immediately shook it, opened it, and pitched it in as the directions indicated. A small amount didn't make it in the carboy but not much.

I also threw in one split vanilla bean and a small amount of the whiskey it was soaking in.

For the blowoff, I followed the advice of my LHBS. I put in the cork and the airlock and simply attached a tube airtight to the airlock (no lid/water on it of course) and then down into a bowl of cheap vodka slightly submerged. This is ok right?? I did wake up the morning after brewing and the tube had fell out of the bowl and was just hanging in the open air. Is that really bad??

Any insight would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Special Hops]

Typically it's best to let the activator pack swell up before pitching. It is probably taking a while to get going since you pitched it before it swelled. Probably will be allright though. Just takes a little longer.

No worries about the blow-off tube. Nasties tend to fall down into wort. They will not travel uphill through the tube and down into your beer.

 

[PittATL]

Cool, thanks for your input.


Should I take the blowoff tube out and just use the airlock as normal?? I only did this cause my last batch had a ton of activity very quickly and ended up with a small messy accident.

 

[LaurieGator]

Another good hint I have learned is to do a yeast starter with liquid yeast. This way, I always know I have viable yeast and they are ready to hit the fermentation trail, so to speak...

As they say, Relax, don't worry, have a homebrew

 

[Bizoune]

A yeast starter is always a good idea. Usually a 2L on a stir plate with fresh yeast will get you where you want to go. If you're getting slow lag time, you might want to try dried yeast eventually. Wait until Sunday night and if nothing seems to be working, rehydrate a pack of s-05 and pitch it.

 

[PittATL]

Thanks guys, finally got some krausen going now on top....the blowoff tube is looking to be needed yet as there's plenty of room between the top of that and the carboy hole...but I'll leave it on for the next 48 hrs or so just in case.

Also....this is a Weihenstephaner hefe but it's nearly as dark as Newcastle.

What's up with that?? Will it lighten now that fermentation has begun?