The Gift of Yeast?

[caledon47]

Hi all,

I'm brand new to homebrewing, so I'd appreciate some advice. A mate of mine, also a brewing beginner, just gave me some bottles of hard cider he made from a kit. It's still pretty sweet and very fizzy. I think it's about 6-8 weeks old, though I could be mistaken, and I know that he bottled from primary without racking. The cider is very cloudy, and there's a quite lot of yeast settled at the bottom of the bottles. Currently it's unrefrigerated in my pantry.

My question is this: what should I do with it? I'm apprehensive to drink it with live yeast in, but I don't have any fancy filter kits or chemicals. Are there other alternatives? I'm also not keen to let it sour to vinegar, but I don't know if there's even any risk of that yet.

Any advice, clarifications, clarifying questions, and suggestions would be very welcome. Thanks!

 

[Metzo]

I have never had a belly ache or any other adverse reaction from drinking "live" beer. If you put it in the fridge for a coupla days it might clear up, but don't worry, just pour your stuff in a glass gently, all but the last bit.

 

[mky375]

The worst thing that could happen would be you get a touch of diarrhea the next morning. It happened to me when I first started brewing after my system got used to the live yeast it wasn't a problem.

Like Metzo said just pour it gently and leave about 1/4 of an inch in the bottle and you'll be fine.

 

[wildman]

I drink the yeast after I pour the cider off. Mine happens to taste really good and yeast is really really good for you.

 

[Metzo]

I drink the yeast after I pour the cider off. Mine happens to taste really good and yeast is really really good for you.

you probably like marmite too

 

[Calder]

If it's done, most of the yeast will settle out fairly quickly. Put it in the fridge and it should be settled in a day. If it's still cloudy after being left alone for a couple of days, then it's not the yeast in suspension, but the apple juice.

If he used 'cloudy' juice to make the cider with, it could take months to clear. the particles in suspension are the same ones you would have when drinking fresh 'cloudy' juice.

If he boiled the apple juice, he will have set the pectins in the juice, and it will never clear. It won't hurt you.

If you are seeing a lot of sediment, it probably is not all yeast, but some of the apple juice solids settling out.

Recommend: Place in fridge for a few days. Open and pour carefully into glass trying not to disturb the sediment. Drink.

 

[wildman]

you probably like marmite too

I actually had to look that one up. It sounds nasty and I wont drink the dregs off lots of stuff. But really the dregs taste like the cider but has more flavor. Lots of times ill put the dregs in a cup and drink it in the morning while I'm making my coffee. I know its unconventional just like me not racking off the lees all winter but it works for me.

 

[vinyl_key]

Yeast is a good source of vitamin B
Drink up!

 

[Yooper]

Yeast is a good source of vitamin B
Drink up!

Ick! I must be in the minority here, but I only drink clear wines, meads, ciders and beers (unless it's a wheat beer which is a bit hazy) and no way would I drink bottle sediment. ICK!

 

[Calder]

But really the dregs taste like the cider but has more flavor. Lots of times ill put the dregs in a cup and drink it in the morning while I'm making my coffee.

I think you might need to see someone about this!

 

[KevinM]

You could potentially be seeing pectin floating at the bottom, along with the yeast. (later on at least) ANd it could be some yeast that was produced when the bottles were being carbonated.

So yeah, just stick it in the fridge till both pectin and yeast are settled at the bottom, and don't shake before serving.

The yeast will contain some flavor, that some people like, and some people don't like. Indeed, some people will intentially flip a bottle a bit to get all the yeast going about so it's in their drink.

If it was properly (sanitarily) handled, there will be no risk of infections, vinegar, etc, and can remain as is, for a long period of time.

The worst that will happen if you drink the yeast (assuming you're not allergic to yeast) is some gassiness, perhaps some slight ...indigestion, due to a laxitive effect. If you are allergic to yeast, you shouldn't even be drinking alcoholic beverages.

If you're a cow, or a horse, apparently live yeast is beneficial: http://jas.fass.org/cgi/content/full/87/9/2844

Perhaps there might be a momentary reduction in thiamine, but nothing that seems extended: http://jn.nutrition.org/content/38/2/225.full.pdf

 

[Bradinator]

I have heard about getting the yeasty-squirts, but have never experienced them myself. I have never filtered anything and will shake up my SkeeterPee bottles before drinking just to kick up the settled yeast.

 

[wildman]

I think you might need to see someone about this!

Why? Do you know someone with some extras?:cross:

 

[kc_in_wv]

Brewers Yeast is a diatary supplement. Here is a clip from a natural food web site "Brewers yeast is a bitter by-product of beer brewing that is high in nutrition, but typically not as high as Nutritional Yeast which is grown special for food use for a better flavor and higher nutrition."

My dad has taken it for years. He is always working in tall grass and weeds and he claims it prevents fleas, ticks, and chiggers, from getting on him.

 

[KevinM]

Yes, but Brewers and nutritional yeast is killed off (centrifuges, drying &heating, vacuum? Something along those lines) It's still a good source of b vitamins though. I toss it in a chocolate shake, though I haven't used my yeast to make my own, yet...

Live yeast gets a little bit different. We get gassy because they're still working their magic while they float through our system, going "hey, food!" and they go and produce co2 which has to escape somewhere.

 

[caledon47]

Thanks, everyone! I actually like marmite (ha!), so I took a chance with the cider, both room temp and refrigerated. A little bit of queasiness, but less so with the chilled cider. And I found that if I followed it with a whisky nightcap, there was no adverse reaction at all.

Thanks again for all the help. You've made me feel very welcome!