No activity after pitching starter. Weird starter

[Bigsandiebrew]

I pitched a started into my oatmeal stout yesterday and there has been no activity which doesn't seem like a big deal but there was a cottage cheese like yeast cake at the bottom when I cleaned the growler I was growing the starter in. I didn't cold crash and decant I just pitched the whole thing. Is it possible that all the yeast stuck to the bottom and I just crimminally under pitched. Help!!

 

[flars]

It does sound like you only pitched the yeast that was in suspension. With some yeast it takes a lot of swirling to loosen it from the bottom.

 

[Bigsandiebrew]

Any chance it will fully attenuate?

 

[flars]

Any chance it will fully attenuate?

I don't know. This will be a wait and see what happens in the next few days kind of thing. Are you fermenting in a carboy to watch krausen development?

Do you have the same yeast on hand to build another starter with? If you do, and the pitched yeast takes off, the new starter can be stored in the frig.

Without a healthy krausen forming within three days I would be ready to pitch a pack of rehydrated US-05. US-05 will work well for the stout if you keep the wort at 66° to 68°.

 

[Bigsandiebrew]

yup fermenting in a carboy so I can watch. Will run by LHBS on Tuesday or Wednesday and pick up dry yeast if it doesn't pick up. Thanks for the advice.

 

[flars]

If you are going out to pick up yeast, perhaps S-04 for more residual sweetness. I suggested US-05 because it is what I keep on hand.