I didn't pitch the yeast!

[fulford665]

Hey all,

Here's the rundown. I tried brewing my first batch EVER today from a "the Brew House" extract kit (IPA). The instructions said to add the pot bicarb, followed by 8 liters of distilled water followed by the wort extract. I was using a 23L glass carboy for my primary fermentor. I was unable to get the last 3-4 cups of wort extract into the fermentor because of the foam. Even if I had been able to get it in, there would have been no clearance inside the fermentor for fermentation (let alone enough room to pitch the yeast). STUPID ME, I RAN OUT OF TIME AND HAD TO LEAVE FOR WORK *GRRRRR*. So, I have a 23L glass fermentor nearly full (with the remainder of the wort in a glass jug sealed with saran wrap) with no yeast, capped with an airlock. Here's my QUESTIONS:

1)Would it be possible to somehow mix everything and then divide it into my second 23L glass carboy? (this seems complicated, and would probably increase my chances of a failed batch, but what do you think?)

2)Am I going to have problems because I am waiting 7 hours (till the end of my shift) to pitch the yeast into the already prepared wort???

3)Should I just suck it up, buy a pail and throw the whole circus in there? If so, what size would be appropriate?

Thank you very much for your patience and wisdom. This young grasshopper truely appreciates all input!

Trevor

 

[COLObrewer]

No worries, pitch some yeast when you have the time, your wort will be at room temp ready to recieve the yeast. And since you sealed both containers they both should be fine, personally I would pitch yeast in both containers, if an airlock wont fit in the 1gal jug, just reseal with saran wrap and put a pin hole in it.

 

[david_42]

Just pitch it when you get home. Put a couple drops of yeast (or a pinch for dry) in the jug. You might need it if the carboy foams over and you can always drink it for QA.

 

[danielinva]

Definitely don't worry about the lag time, 7 hours really isn't that much. You could split the batch between the two 23L carboys as long as the second one is sanitized, it will be quite a bit of head space, but the CO2 produced from fermentation should protect the beer against aeration (feel free to splash it as much as you want while transferring the wort though, aeration is still good at this point). If you are using dry yeast it would be really easy to split the yeast between the two carboys. Liquid yeast might be a bit more challenging to pitch evenly, but still not a problem. I would suggest an ale pail for future batches though. If its convenient to get one on the way home that might actually be the best way to go.

Was the recipe supposed to produce over 6 gallons of beer?

 

[McGarnigle]

Brewhouse kits are pretty volatile, which is why they recommend 7-10 (imperial) gallon pails. You already added the bicarb and the top off water? You'd really have to make sure everything is well mixed before splitting.

If you bought a pail to use, you'd probably want a 7.9 gallon one. Even then, a blowoff tube would be recommended.

Was the recipe supposed to produce over 6 gallons of beer?
These produce 6 US gallons, unless you add less top off water and make a stronger beer.

 

[fulford665]

Hey guys,

So I got a friend to do me a favour and run down to a supplier while I was at work and pick me up a 12 gal (46L) pail. When I got home, I sanitized everything again, transfered the wort, aerated, pitched the yeast and cleaned up. The recipie produced 6 gal, I must have been under the impression that it would only be 5 gal. I chose to do the brew house as I figured it'd be a good way to get the feel of the brewing process before I went all grain. It's too bad, it would have been nice to see the fermentation in action. Oh well. Thanks for all the input! It helped

cheers