I tried making my first mead last night, using Lalvin 71B (Narbonne) dry yeast. I followed the instructions for rehydrating the yeast, but after 15 minutes it didn't look like any of the granules had taken up any water. I stirred it and there was no slurry. So I figured screw it, and dumped it into the mead, figuring it would rehydrate in the mead.
Checked again this morning, and I can still see all the little granules. Has anyone else ever had this happen? The packet had been in the fridge since I bought it last month, and it was sitting out at room temperature for 24 hours, so the yeast wasn't cold when I pitched it. It did smell very yeasty, much more so than dry beer yeast, but I was surprised that there was no rehydration. I'm thinking I should wait about 3 days and if I still see granules and no signs of fermentation either pitch a new packet of Narbonne or maybe a different strain like Montrachet?
Checked again this morning, and I can still see all the little granules. Has anyone else ever had this happen? The packet had been in the fridge since I bought it last month, and it was sitting out at room temperature for 24 hours, so the yeast wasn't cold when I pitched it. It did smell very yeasty, much more so than dry beer yeast, but I was surprised that there was no rehydration. I'm thinking I should wait about 3 days and if I still see granules and no signs of fermentation either pitch a new packet of Narbonne or maybe a different strain like Montrachet?