New bad lot of Nottingham yeast ???

[TokyoRoad]

I have a batch from the lot people are over-reacting ( ) about. Pitch to bubbles in ~6 hours.

 

[robertbartsch]

I would not call this an over-reaction.

If you have read this post you would know that some yeast from this lot batch will ferment perfectly, some will ferment slower than normal, and some will be dead and will not ferment at all.

Apparently, you were lucky!

 

[mullenite]

Thanks Guys! I'm sure either of those strains will work just fine. Though I'm loosely following an English IPA recipe by Jamil Zainasheff from "Brewing Classic Styles" and it calls for WLP013, Wyeast 1028, or Danstar Notty. I'd like to stick with one of those if I have to drive to get more yeast (25-40 miles one way depending on which LHBS). He goes on to say that a less attenuative yeast can be used, but to lower the mash temp accordingly. I have these in the fridge: WLP001, WLP004(might try this), WLP008, US-04, US-05, Danstar Windsor. I have the grainbills for my next 4 batches, so I may put it off for a while. Decisions, decisions.

On a side note, I made a 950ml/1cup DME starter yesterday afternoon and dumped a pack of Notty in. It's been about 14 hours and still nothing, just sitting on the bottom. Also, there was quite a bit of yeast (1tsp) that was stuck in the bottom of the package. This lot# is not acting like the Notty I've used in the past. It's usually chugging along within 6 hours. I have 1 more package of Notty, might make a starter for that one today and see what it does. I know people say wait 72 hrs, but as far as I'm concerned, 24hrs max is my dry yeast comfort zone, especially with a starter - minimal to no yeast reproduction needed.

WLP039 is the liquid form of Notty.

http://www.mrmalty.com/yeast.htm <- from the chart made by Kristen England posted on Jamil's site.

 

[DeNomad]

Hmm I am sitting at 48 hrs with no apparent fermentation with OG 1.060. I rehydrated and pitched 2 packs of notty.

Repitched with S-04. Had krausen in 12 hours, major blow off at 24 hours. I followed the manufacturer's recommendation on rehydrating just as I did with the Notty. Just slightly different temperature and spent longer swirling the yeast in my bottle as per instructions.

Conclusion: Inconsistent quality with this batch of Notty. My rehydration technique works fine. I will not be buying any more Notty until they have a fresh batch that has been proven reliable.

 

[rmolledo]

interesting your having this problem. I just pitched nottingham into a porter on sunday and had little activity on monday and now today (wednesday) there is no activity.

 

[Jawbox0]

I have a batch from the lot people are over-reacting ( ) about. Pitch to bubbles in ~6 hours.

Same here, I picked up 7 of this lot/exp from the brew store, used two, have handled it carefully, and have had vigorous fermentation within 8 hours so far.

 

[krebs119]

Looks like I had an issue with this yeast too. I didn't see this page before brewing - but here was my experience:

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f14/ok-what-did-i-do-wrong-197148/

I didn't take note of the date stamped on the yeast packet before I threw it out unfortunately....

 

[robertbartsch]

Any word from the manufacturor? They must be aware of the issues at this time; right?

My hope would be that they would recall this lot batch.

 

[fishnfever]

I don't mean this to be rude, honestly, but you say you're new to brewing, but joined this forum in 2008?!!?

Perhaps the OP doesnt brew all that much?

Forrrest, I don't think he is startting rumors. The way I read it was he was simply asking if there was any buddy still having issues or if there is any new ones.


To the OP, I had a packet recently take off slow but it all turned out fine.

RDWHAHB!!

 

[brettwasbtd]

I think we all just need to rehydrate ( to verify health) and stock an extra packet of something else to be safe.

 

[lalnx]

I think we all just need to rehydrate ( to verify health) and stock an extra packet of something else to be safe.

Yep, if you rehydrate @ the 86-92 deg that they ask for, and do not get that light foamy mass on the top within 20 minutes or so, I would consider it junk. pitch another pack, lot number, or US-05 what ever will work. I found some more Notty at another shop ($.75 :rockin with a different lot#, so I will have that on hand when I pitch my last pack from the lot# in question. (not much confidence in the last pack after 2 duds prior.) And no it is not my process. just pitched a Danstar Munich and a US-05 on saturday with no problems.

 

[stevedasleeve]

I think we all just need to rehydrate ( to verify health) and stock an extra packet of something else to be safe.

Exactly. I am, frankly, not so happy with S-05 as a replacement. I do like S-04 for some beers but I really like Nottingham. I got a few new packets yesterday and plan on using them but having S-05 on hand if it doesn't smell right or cream up the way I am used to.

 

[robertbartsch]

I always have a back-up plan for yeast.... never hurts to have some inventory availible.... S-04 and S-05 have been rock solid for me so far....

I have 6 packs of Notty and have never used it. I was hoping the lot would be recalled, but I don't beleive the manufactor cares anymore.

 

[rmolledo]

just racked my porter to keg and tasted it and it seems fine. The FG reading was fine too. Maybe the recent notty is just fast and krausins while we sleep?

 

[RavenChief]

Exactly. I am, frankly, not so happy with S-05 as a replacement. I do like S-04 for some beers but I really like Nottingham. I got a few new packets yesterday and plan on using them but having S-05 on hand if it doesn't smell right or cream up the way I am used to.

Steve,
If you really like Nottingham, then keep using it. Just "proof" it before you pitch it in your wort. If it doesn't proof good then go to plan B. I personally am keeping a variety of dry yeast on hand so that I will not be caught short if any prove bad. I also really like Notty, when it's good it's really good...

 

[Toecutter]

Just pitched Notty in in my latest batch last night at 8:30 pm. Got up this morning at 7:00 am an its already chugging away

 

[Rover]

I have to admit,
I did the same thing and it was chugging away in less than 12 hours later.

That's two good packs and one bad pack since all this started, same process, same temp.
Go figure

 

[Toecutter]

I have to admit,
I did the same thing and it was chugging away in less than 12 hours later.

That's two good packs and one bad pack since all this started, same process, same temp.
Go figure

Just checked at 12;00 noon, it's sunday, bubbling stopped. boy when that stuff is good, its good. It really tore through this batch.

 

[Rover]

yup, I'm down to 1.012 in 6 days.

 

[stevedasleeve]

Steve,
If you really like Nottingham, then keep using it. Just "proof" it before you pitch it in your wort. If it doesn't proof good then go to plan B. I personally am keeping a variety of dry yeast on hand so that I will not be caught short if any prove bad. I also really like Notty, when it's good it's really good...

Yes that is what I am doing!

 

[bkov]

i had the above-average delayed start times for this lot of yeast but the gravity samples have tasted normal so far

 

[brewale4me]

Today I had 2 packets of notty that didn't proof. It had a strange smell to it. A odd chemical smell. Northern is helping me with the problem. I proofed and pitched a windsor. They were shipped and stored together.

 

[smizak]

Today I had 2 packets of notty that didn't proof. It had a strange smell to it. A odd chemical smell. Northern is helping me with the problem. I proofed and pitched a windsor. They were shipped and stored together.

I told my LHBS about it too. I'm glad the bigger stores are finding out. The other Nottingham thread has a poster saying his LHBS had to pull all of this new bad lot # out of their kits and sent them back to Lallemand. Still waiting for them to acknowledge the problem.....

 

[Hermit]

My previous didn't show any activity when rehydrated and was slow to start. My last one took off like expected.

 

[robertbartsch]

Anyone know how long it took for the manuacturor to recall the last bad batch of Notty?

Was this only after brewers complained and the local brew stores sent their inventory back for analysis by the company?

It seems like a ligit, problem with many inconsistencies in this specific lot; right?

...the wheels move slowly, I guess.

 

[RavenChief]

I wonder if anyone has gotten a response from the Danstar people about this issue?

I know that I have not received a reply...

 

[Rover]

I gave a very detailed email with my process and outcome with no response.

I hope they're not waiting for this lot to work it's way through the gamut.

 

[tomroeder]

Did a 10 gal batch of Northern English Brown ale...two six gallon glass carboys. 3 piece airlocks, and anal sanitation. Pitched one packet of Notty in each one, sprinkled right in the wort, no re-hydration, as always. S.G. 1.052. 50 hours later, 1.052. Luckily had some US-04 in the frig, hopefully it will save the day! My Notty is 1080961099V, exp 12-2011 as well. Not a happy customer...

 

[Reelale]

I just had a thought. I wonder how many of those who are reporting increased lag times are using campden tablets to treat their water? I have had no trouble with Notty, but the last brew, the first one I've used campden tablet, did have a longer lag time compared to the others. I don't know...just a thought.

 

[tomroeder]

I just had a thought. I wonder how many of those who are reporting increased lag times are using campden tablets to treat their water? I have had no trouble with Notty, but the last brew, the first one I've used campden tablet, did have a longer lag time compared to the others. I don't know...just a thought.

Not me...used 5 2 stabilizer for the mash...very routine brew...treated with O2 for 30 seconds...very routine...wyeast yeast nutrient, irish moss....everything the same as always