So many gallons of easy beer!!!!

[Selfsufficient]

Why in the world did I stray from the routine? I must drive to the LHBS to buy DME and a bottle....

My wife and I discussed yeast and we decided we would like to try a specific strain. MISTAKE for me. Some history about us, we love yeast and have a lb or so in the freezer for all the bread and crusts we make. We have a sourdough starter from California in the fridge that I feed every other week.

So this was a test. I purchased two kits that have the smack pack, for the first time, and have read extensively that I will now have to purchase some DME and bottle. I thought I bought the wrong product but I have verified that I purchased PROPOGATOR. I sure wish I would have known.......I love dry yeast, however, we were thinking that the liquid yeast would push the beer into the realm of greatness.

So now I have to drive forever to get what I need to brew.....Sorry, just had to vent. I will do what is needed and I am humbled after so many easy brews.

Lots to learn before AG for sure.

 

[jescholler]

I don't think I followed the story.

You wanted to buy kits that used liquid yeast, but you wanted to buy the Activators? Instead you bought the Propogators? Now that means you need DME and a bottle to make starters to build up the Propogators?

Many people will argue that dry yeast is just as good in terms of quality as liquid yeast. The place where you might run into trouble is if you want to brew a less common style, and the strain isn't available in dry.

Also, I use the Activators and almost always make starters. I think many people who use the Activators do the same for most styles.

 

[homebeerbrewer]

<snip>
You wanted to buy kits that used liquid yeast, but you wanted to buy the Activators? Instead you bought the Propogators? Now that means you need DME and a bottle to make starters to build up the Propogators?
</snip>

That's what I understood too.

I have used the Propagator without a starter, but it took a looong time to show any signs of activity. But after two weeks, the hydrometer showed that fermentation was done, or just about done. You could save yourself the trip and pitch it, just don't expect anything happening for while.

 

[ptra1004]

I'm always a bit leary of pitching props without a starter, there is always that chance that a little bugger is going to scrw it up for me before the yeast gets going. Besides, it's always fun to 'pseudo-brew' before the big day!

 

[homebeerbrewer]

I'm always a bit leary of pitching props without a starter, there is always that chance that a little bugger is going to scrw it up for me before the yeast gets going. Besides, it's always fun to 'pseudo-brew' before the big day!

Yeah, that could happen. However, the OP stated he has a long drive (at least to me, "forever" is a long drive) to the LHBS to get what he needs to do a starter. If he want's to save the time and fuel costs, he could pitch it without the starter. It does have the possibility that something else will get going before the yeast has a chance to build up their numbers and start doing their job, but it's unlikely. Just make sure everything is sanitized properly.

 

[Yooper]

Instead of going back to the store, why not "steal" 1/2 cup DME out of the recipe? It won't matter if you're a little short when you make the beer, so that's what I'd do. Take 1/2 cup DME and 2 cups of water, and boil it briefly. Cool it in the sink, and while it's cooling sanitize a growler and some foil. When it's cool, pour it into the growler (a sanitized funnel works great) and then pour in the yeast and stick the foil on top. Stir it by giving it a shake every time you walk by it, and then use it in the next 24-72 hours. To use, just swirl it up and pour in your cooled wort.

If you can't use it within 72 hours or so, store it in the fridge. It takes less than 15 minutes to make a starter, and it ensure active healthy yeast and gives you more yeast to make sure the yeast aren't stressed leading to off-flavors. I always make a starter when I use liquid yeast.

And, when the fermentation is over, check out yeast washing. You can keep the yeast from batch to batch, and not buy that strain of yeast again.

 

[ifishsum]

I'm with Yooper, borrow a little bit of the extract from the kit (1/2 cup DME or 2/3 cup LME) and make your starter with that the day before. Then pitch the entire starter into the brew when you're ready. Next time you're at the shop, pick up a pound of LDME just for making starters.

 

[Selfsufficient]

Thanks for all the posts and to answer the question, I purchased the kits not reading that they came with propagator. My bad. So I did drive the LHBS and purchased a gallon glass jar, 3lbs DME and funnel. 25 bucks. My wife had wanted some really good pizza which just happens to be around the corner so all is not lost. An hour and ten minutes after leaving work, I was home with new toys and pizza. Pizza was as expected and I'm about ready to take out the smack pack from the fridge to let it warm. I get to experience how much more difficult this is gonna be.

Thanks again for the support.

 

[homebeerbrewer]

It's not all that difficult. It's easy, as a matter of fact.

Hey, the pizza made it worth the trip, made your wife happy.

 

[Selfsufficient]

Did I mention the pizza cost more than the toys. So its a draw. Wife is happy, I lost 50 minutes of family time including my 6 mth old son (goes to bed at 8, got home at 7:10) to the drive but I will learn yet another skill in the pursuit of less expensive awesome beer.

It really can't be any harder than the sourdough starter I have in the fridge so I'm ok with my mistake. I just didn't research the liquid yeast threads enough before I jumped (activator, propagator or pitchable). I'm too busy with the all grain threads. It's all starting to become clearer now. Just more complicated.

 

[homebeerbrewer]

<snip> yet another skill in the pursuit of less expensive awesome beer. </snip>

Maybe the beer itself will be less expensive, but the hobby won't be.