First time using white labs

[ReverendOwl]

Yesterday, I used a sachet of white labs yeast on a vanilla porter. I noticed on brewday that on the packet it said to store at 4 degrees, I had not done this, it's been sat at room temperature since I've had it (about a week). It was not shipped to me with any insulation so I didn't even think to store in the fridge.

There has been no signs of fermentation, no bubbles or swelling on the lid but I know it's very early days only 12 hours in, but I wanted to check to see if I should order in some new yeast if the stuff I had died due to storing at room temperature, or should I **** up and RDWHAHB?

Cheers!

 

[eadavis80]

I'd bet a large sum of $ it's totally fine. Room temp sure as heck should not harm the yeast any. I used White Labs myself for the first time over two weeks ago as I also usually yeast WYeast or use dry yeast. I was a bonehead and left the yeast in the car while I was at the grocery store for well over an hour. The yeast got pretty darn warm as sun was hitting the packet directly. I pitched it and anyhow and within 18 hours the yeast had started to do its thing.

 

[ReverendOwl]

I'd bet a large sum of $ it's totally fine. Room temp sure as heck should not harm the yeast any. I used White Labs myself for the first time over two weeks ago as I also usually yeast WYeast or use dry yeast. I was a bonehead and left the yeast in the car while I was at the grocery store for well over an hour. The yeast got pretty darn warm as sun was hitting the packet directly. I pitched it and anyhow and within 18 hours the yeast had started to do its thing.

Awesome, thanks for the reassurance!

 

[BlueHouseBrewhaus]

You're fine. Reference to storage temp is mainly for long term storage. A week at room temp is fine.

 

[Morrey]

One question mark that comes up is that it was shipped to you uninsulated, and we all know that summer shipping can be sometimes brutal on yeast. I'd be semi-concerned over what you did not know about shipping temps as opposed to what you do know about your ambient room temps.

Just to make sure you have viable yeast, its a mighty easy insurance policy to build a simple starter and see if you are good to go.

 

[ericbw]

When you opened it, did it spray out? The old vials used to do that, but I used a new one recently, and it didn't. It was fine.

As long as it was not over about 120 degrees it should be fine. It will be at about room temp during fermentation, right?

 

[ReverendOwl]

One question mark that comes up is that it was shipped to you uninsulated, and we all know that summer shipping can be sometimes brutal on yeast. I'd be semi-concerned over what you did not know about shipping temps as opposed to what you do know about your ambient room temps.



Just to make sure you have viable yeast, its a mighty easy insurance policy to build a simple starter and see if you are good to go.

I would assume it shipped from white labs to the UK insulted but once shipped from the home brew shop they didn't, as it would arrive in a few days. Can't say for sure though! Barrel lid seems to be swelling nicely now anyway

 

[ReverendOwl]

When you opened it, did it spray out? The old vials used to do that, but I used a new one recently, and it didn't. It was fine.

As long as it was not over about 120 degrees it should be fine. It will be at about room temp during fermentation, right?

The packet was pretty swollen by brew day but not enough pressure to spray out.

It says to warm to room temperature before pitching, but it had been sat at that temperature since (at least) I received it. Seems to be active now though, so panics over

 

[Morrey]

The packet was pretty swollen by brew day but not enough pressure to spray out.

It says to warm to room temperature before pitching, but it had been sat at that temperature since (at least) I received it. Seems to be active now though, so panics over

Are you seeing signs of krausen (foam) forming or any sign of airlock activity?

 

[ReverendOwl]

Are you seeing signs of krausen (foam) forming or any sign of airlock activity?

There's Krausen and the lid is swelling, airlock is not bubbling, but I probably have a leaky seal. Pretty sure it's all underway now.