Dead yeast

[GPP33]

last night I built a starter for a brew I’m doing on Sunday. It’s a big one so I was planning on stepping it up today. When I checked on it this morning nothing had changed. Gravity is the same, no Krausen and when I turn off the stir plate no yeast settles. This is the second time this has happened to me. I’m about to write off either White Labs or the LHBS I bought both of the dead packs from.

I’m interested in how many people have had a dead yeast pack, if it was white labs or Wyeast and if you got it mail order or at your LHBS.

 

[brewfrog]

i would use safe ale any kind.it says safe and it is.

maybe a little more sugar too?i got dead batches from 2 tablespoons not enough sugar.

wyeast makes a fake grain malt.

 

[RPh_Guy]

No, and I typically have yeast shipped to me in Ohio.
I do keep dry yeast on hand just in case.

maybe a little more sugar too?i got dead batches from 2 tablespoons not enough sugar.

wyeast makes a fake grain malt.

What?

 

[Hopsimus]

I've had a vial of white labs "not start". I'm not sure if the yeast was dead, or if I tried to warm it up too quickly and shocked the suckers.

I mostly use wyeast now because I like seeing the smack pack swell before pitching into the starter. Gives me a little piece of mind that the yeasts are probably ok.

 

[GPP33]

Another thing worth noting is that both of the dead yeast packs were pretty dark, not sure if that's a sign of dead yeast or not. The new one I picked up was a nice off white creamy color and if performed as expected.

Starter was built using light DME at a ratio of 100g/liter. Gravity sample taken on the dead lot was about 1.038.

 

[RPh_Guy]

They were in date? I would definitely try to get some kind of reparation from the LHBS. If that doesn't work then try White Labs directly.

 

[GPP33]

Package date was mid July, so yes, fresh. LHBS hooked me up with another one both times so no money out of pocket but frustrating none the less.