I think I murdered my yeast.

[SteveHeff]

Here's the short story:

I made a yeast starter for my Kolsch yeast the day before brewing. I accidentally added enough yeast energizer for my entire 5 gallon batch instead of what I need just for the starter. Did I murder my yeast? Was the high acid content in the energizer enough to kill the yeast?

 

[schokie]

What yeast energizer? You'll most likely be fine.

 

[SteveHeff]

Turns out it wasn't a fatal dose. The kolsch is very merrily chugging away.

 

[Sippin37]

By energizer do you mean table sugar? Lol

 

[SteveHeff]

Not sugar, no. It is literally called "Yeast Energizer" by BSG. It can be used to restart stuck fermentation.

 

[schokie]

I hadn't heard of that brand so I had to look it up. It appear s to be just a simple combination of yeast nutrients like DAP, etc. Don't worry, you'll be fine.

I often put a whole batch's worth of DAP into my starter. No issues. I don't think it's going to change the acid level significantly. I'm sure it made your beer better.

 

[SteveHeff]

I've learned a couple of things, over the last 4 years. Fermentation temps are crucial to a quality product. And pitching good, strong and healthy yeast is vitally important.

My last three batches have been substantially better than similar previous batches. Just modifying and controlling those two items has made my beer much much better.

 

[RmikeVT]

No worries on the yeast energizer. In fact, your beer will probably be better for it.

 

[SteveHeff]

The yeast worked very well in the beer. I top cropped about 1/2 of yeast this afternoon. This is after 6 days in the primary. I supplied it with 1 tsp of table sugar and 1/2 of water. I had to burp my container 3 times due to the activity of the yeast. It's cooled and hanging out in the fridge. The beer ended up going from 1.055 to 1.014 at 57 degrees F. It's now warming up to the mid 60's just in case there was any diacetyl produced. 3 more days and I'll cold crash it and allow to "lager" even though it's not a true lager.