Quick question

[rydia131]

First brew i hydrated the dry yeast, this time i want to just add the yeast and see which i prefer. Do i just simply sprinkle the yeast on the top and thats it? Thanks!!

 

[BansheeRider]

First brew i hydrated the dry yeast, this time i want to just add the yeast and see which i prefer. Do i just simply sprinkle the yeast on the top and thats it? Thanks!!

Yes, however rehydrating is a simple process and worth the while.

 

[rydia131]

Hmm so hydrating makes a difference? It just makes it seem like either/or or that it doesnt matter which you choose

 

[BansheeRider]

Hmm so hydrating makes a difference? It just makes it seem like either/or or that it doesnt matter which you choose

The manufacturer of the yeast recommends rehydration. I'm not sure if it makes better beer but it does help the yeast remain viable when they are pitched into the wort.

 

[tre9er]

I believe that some recent experiments showed that if sprinkling the yeast over a larger surface area, cell counts improved. Woodland Brew had done the experiments.

 

[sniperd]

I've only used dry yeast a few times. I've always just sprinkled it in my fermenter (but I don't shake it up.)

 

[kh54s10]

I have read that just sprinkling on top stresses and kills 50% of the cells. Fermentis packs say to sprinkle evenly over the entire surface, avoid clumping and swirl in after 30 minutes. Then their website recommends re-hydrating????

I have done both it seems the re-hydrated starts a little quicker. I cannot tell the difference in the final product but I have never done any test and have not brewed the same recipe twice.

 

[Cyclman]

The difference between the two will be re-hydrating you will have a better pitch, tossing dry on top, you may be underpitching. Generally, more, healthier yeast is better- better flavors, better attenuation.

You can use one of the many yeast calculators to optimize yeast pitching, it's a good tool to learn.