I cannot remember where I read about re-using the yeast cake at the bottom of the primary after racking off the brew, however we decided to give it a whirl. This was not only a good learning experience, but an apparently successful test.
Both beers were New Castle style English Ales, made with similar ingredients. I do not have the actual recipes here.
We brewed the second batch prior to racking the batch that was in the primary. This allowed it to cool so as not to scortch the yeast. We racked the 1st batch into another carboy to age a bit, leaving a half inch to cover the yeast cake. After racking we re-applied the water trap so as to stop other beasties from sneaking in. Apparently the yeast was doing well, as we were still getting bubbles pushing through!
After the wort cooled, which ended up taking a while, we poured it into the primary, shaking as we did in order to break up the yeast cake and get the beasties working. Then we put the mixture into the brewing bathroom in the basement to do it's thing.
The next morning there was activity, though not out of control. That evening, however, it was discovered that the yeast was sooo happy that it had a new batch of beer in which to play, that it had decided to exit the facility through the trap! It coated the water trap, stopper, and about 4 inches of the top of the carboy with a nice layer of gunk. Luckily, I think that it was mainly foam which made it's way through, as the level inside the carboy has not gone down much at all.
I guess the lesson learned is that if you recycle yeast, understand that it is very excitable and must be given lots of room with which to play. Perhaps next time I will also try siphoning off half of the yeast cake and store it in the fridge for future use. This will not only extend the usefullness of the yeast, but hopefully cut down on the violence of the reaction.
Cheers to the yeasties!
Ramp
Both beers were New Castle style English Ales, made with similar ingredients. I do not have the actual recipes here.
We brewed the second batch prior to racking the batch that was in the primary. This allowed it to cool so as not to scortch the yeast. We racked the 1st batch into another carboy to age a bit, leaving a half inch to cover the yeast cake. After racking we re-applied the water trap so as to stop other beasties from sneaking in. Apparently the yeast was doing well, as we were still getting bubbles pushing through!
After the wort cooled, which ended up taking a while, we poured it into the primary, shaking as we did in order to break up the yeast cake and get the beasties working. Then we put the mixture into the brewing bathroom in the basement to do it's thing.
The next morning there was activity, though not out of control. That evening, however, it was discovered that the yeast was sooo happy that it had a new batch of beer in which to play, that it had decided to exit the facility through the trap! It coated the water trap, stopper, and about 4 inches of the top of the carboy with a nice layer of gunk. Luckily, I think that it was mainly foam which made it's way through, as the level inside the carboy has not gone down much at all.
I guess the lesson learned is that if you recycle yeast, understand that it is very excitable and must be given lots of room with which to play. Perhaps next time I will also try siphoning off half of the yeast cake and store it in the fridge for future use. This will not only extend the usefullness of the yeast, but hopefully cut down on the violence of the reaction.
Cheers to the yeasties!
Ramp
