Bad yeast?

[FireEmt37]

I brewed a milk stout yesterday with no problems. Pitched a WL English ale yeast that looked a little suspicious. It had slightly separated. Almost 24 hours later no activity at all...no bubbling and no krausen.

Is it possible to grab more yeast and try pitching it again?

 

[mongoose33]

What was the expiry on the yeast? How did you oxygenate your wort?

I'd wait another 24 hours and see what happens. Sometimes they're just slow to go.

 

[FireEmt37]

It had a week to go for the nest by. Did the old fashioned rocking for a few minutes which always worked.

 

[mongoose33]

Did you make a starter or just pitch the pack?

 

[FireEmt37]

Did you make a starter or just pitch the pack?

Just the pack. Based on a few things decided not needed. I've never had a batch not start fermenting.

 

[mongoose33]

The older the yeast, the less viable it is. That doesn't mean it won't take off, but it'll be slower because there are fewer viable cells in it. I've used lumpy/clumpy yeast before, but always in a starter and it worked.

Wait. It'll take off.