71B Issues

[Nick Z]

Has anyone had problems with the Lavlin 71B yeast lately? This is the second time I've pitched (and it was an over pitch, for sure) that yeast and not seen any yeast even a few days later.

The first time I had to actually build a starter using apple juice and an entire packet of 71B to get it going. And that was the third packet I'd used (on a one gallon batch).

This time I pitched the yeast and nothing. I rehydrated the yeast with Go Ferm and it was showing some foaming, indicating good yeast. I pitched half a packet for a one gallon batch. That should be a 2.5X over pitch.

I haven't had this issue with any other yeasts and I didn't have issues with 71B in the past.

 

[AzOr]

Are you using the same source for juice?

The only time I have issues with apple juice is when it’s been previously sulfited. Sometimes even after 24 hours it can be very sluggish to start.

 

[Nick Z]

No. Different juices. I did use sulfites but I waited 36 hours before pitching. The last batch I used 71B on was also sulfited. It's possible 71B is less tolerant of sulfites than others. But it's the only yeast I've had this problem with recently. I used 71B last year without issue.