Time Sensitive : Wyeast Smack Pack

[MXDXD]

I realized I didn't activate the activator. I "recuperated" the pouch, but the yeast is in my carboy.

Is it a good idea to throw content of the pouch?

Thanks in advance

 

[Yooper]

I realized I didn't activate the activator. I "recuperated" the pouch, but the yeast is in my carboy.

Is it a good idea to throw content of the pouch?

Thanks in advance

The pouch stuff doesn't matter- it just shows yeast viability in the package. It doesn't need to swell before using it, and it's not important once the yeast is in the wort.

 

[ThunderpantsBrewing]

If by that you mean put it in the fermenter, then sure. It's yeast nutrient and definitely couldn't hurt.

 

[MXDXD]

The pouch stuff doesn't matter- it just shows yeast viability in the package. It doesn't need to swell before using it, and it's not important once the yeast is in the wort.

Thanks for the quick reply. I mean, figured it could help, considering I was brewing a high OG beer, but I'm not even sure it's a good idea to do this anyways.

 

[Yooper]

Thanks for the quick reply. I mean, figured it could help, considering I was brewing a high OG beer, but I'm not even sure it's a good idea to do this anyways.

If you're brewing a high OG beer, the best thing would be to use two or three packages of yeast, or make a yeast starter. If you didn't do either of those, the little bit of 'proofing' liquid in the package won't make a difference either way, I'm afraid.

There is barely enough yeast in one package for a beer of about 1.045 for an OG- any higher, and especially over 1.060, even Wyeast recommends more yeast.

 

[Braufessor]

Don't throw the contents of the extra pouch in there now..... you probably only risk contaminating. As Yooper said - all the yeast is in the bigger envelope and you got that in your beer. The smaller, interior "pouch" is a bit of wort/nutrient that you can pop and it will show the yeast is good because the pack will swell over the course of 24 hours.

The other issue is you said you were brewing an "high gravity"beer......if you pitched a single smack pack into 5 gallons of high gravity beer, it was probably under pitched as far as total amt. of yeast. What was the gravity, what was the size of the batch and did you pitch one smack pack?

 

[MXDXD]

If you're brewing a high OG beer, the best thing would be to use two or three packages of yeast, or make a yeast starter. If you didn't do either of those, the little bit of 'proofing' liquid in the package won't make a difference either way, I'm afraid.

There is barely enough yeast in one package for a beer of about 1.045 for an OG- any higher, and especially over 1.060, even Wyeast recommends more yeast.

I'm a 1-gallon batch brewer and I basically needed ALL the smack-pack considering projected OG (1.093). I looked everything on Mr. Malty and Brewers' Friend. Yeast was 2 months old.

 

[MXDXD]

The other issue is you said you were brewing an "high gravity"beer......if you pitched a single smack pack into 5 gallons of high gravity beer, it was probably under pitched as far as total amt. of yeast. What was the gravity, what was the size of the batch and did you pitch one smack pack?

Yeah... see above, lol. I made my calculations for 1.093 and ended up with 1.082. Again, considering yeast MFG date, it was basically one smack pack for one gallon.

Why did I use liquid? Wasn't sure about which yeast to use for a Scotch Ale.

I do have Notty for backup plan, though.

 

[Braufessor]

One gallon batch.... You are good then. I don't see any real problems for you with the process you used.

 

[MXDXD]

The visible signs of fermentation appeared at some point during the night. Really tame at the moment, but still signs.

 

[MXDXD]

Update : it's been consistent carboy-to-blowoff recipient since yesterday. So yeah, didn't need the nutrients after all !