My First Batch

[rossrainey]

So I've decided to finally brew my first batch. I plan on buying the kit (true brew with auto siphon) from my local HBS. As for the products, I want to get the AHS Our special holiday ale. My main question is if I order the kit, what is a reasonable time frame it can sit until I would have to brew it. I was planning on the brew day to be in about 2 weeks. I guess my main concern is I don't know whether or not the yeast will still be stable if I order from AHS and then wait a few days or possibly a week to brew. I know I can refrigerate them but I don't know if they will ship well all the way to GA from Austin. Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[Mirage]

Welcome to the forum!
I take it that the yeast will be liquid. To be on the safe side, purchase the ice pack from AHS to go with your yeast. It isn't traveling all that far and that should keep it good. Once it gets to you, just put it in the fridge before you use it. You can make a starter with it a few days before your brewday to make sure the yeast is viable and that you have a high enough cell count to pitch. Good luck on the brew and let me know how it goes!

 

[FishinDave07]

Welcome to the forum!
I take it that the yeast will be liquid. To be on the safe side, purchase the ice pack from AHS to go with your yeast. It isn't traveling all that far and that should keep it good. Once it gets to you, just put it in the fridge before you use it. You can make a starter with it a few days before your brewday to make sure the yeast is viable and that you have a high enough cell count to pitch. Good luck on the brew and let me know how it goes!

+2 and Welcome! You should be fine if you toss the yeast in the fridge. This is a GREAT reference, use it! How to Brew - By John Palmer - Preparing Yeast and Yeast Starters

 

[rossrainey]

I could use the dry yeasts as another option. I guess I really don't know the true differences. I have read how to brew but the only thing I remembered in that book was rehydrating the yeast. I'm assuming that the liquid yeast will not have to be rehydrated just refrigerated and then primed to make sure they are still living. The dry yeast offered is munton's premium gold ale yeast. I just don't know what the sacrifice would be between the two options.

Edit:
Nevermind, I posted at the same time as previous. I just missed the preparing liquid yeast section in how to brew. Thanks for the help.

 

[FishinDave07]

When you make a starter you pretty much are making a scaled-down beer. But if you want to go the dry yeast route, i would recommend Danstar nottingham or Safale US-05. I'm not sure if its the muntons premium gold or regular muntons yeast, but i know that one is often attributed to stuck fermentations.