Ward Labs Water Testing

[Robert65]

Might have to try this fermaid you speak of.

I've ordered some Fermaid O. This is a yeast autolyte, as discussed in the paper I mentioned (it was in Brewing Science or something, not MBAA FWIW.) Fermaid K is inorganic DAP. That's not getting anywhere near my beer. [emoji6]

 

[Silver_Is_Money]

I've ordered some Fermaid O. This is a yeast autolyte, as discussed in the paper I mentioned (it was in Brewing Science or something, not MBAA FWIW.) Fermaid K is inorganic DAP. That's not getting anywhere near my beer. [emoji6]

Lallemand's brewing yeast division doesn't seem to have any issues with using Fermaid K as a beer wort nutrient. That said, you can never go wrong in choosing an organic alternative.

https://www.lallemandbrewing.com/en/united-states/product-details/fermaid-k/

Lallemand states this:

Fermaid K is a completely natural blend of inactive yeast, minerals
and vitamins, produced in Canada by Lallemand to the highest levels
of hygiene and quality assurance.

 

[IslandLizard]

I've ordered some Fermaid O. This is a yeast autolyte, as discussed in the paper I mentioned (it was in Brewing Science or something, not MBAA FWIW.) Fermaid K is inorganic DAP. That's not getting anywhere near my beer. [emoji6]

Although there may well be a perfectly balanced mixture of (inorganic) trace elements in Fermaid O, or in any other yeast nutrient, would simply boiling some old yeast create a useful alternative to Fermaid O? Then add some Zinc Sulfate to that for completeness?

What's the problem with using DAP?
How about Urea?

 

[Robert65]

Although there may well be a perfectly balanced mixture of (inorganic) trace elements in Fermaid O, or in any other yeast nutrient, would simply boiling some old yeast create a useful alternative to Fermaid O? Then add some Zinc Sulfate to that for completeness?

What's the problem with using DAP?
How about Urea?

My objection to inorganic sources is largely philosophical.

There was, IIRC, some discussion of someone's trials using boiled, spent yeast sometime ago on the LOB forum. If I get a chance I'll see if I can dig that up get the tl;dr on it for you. It certainly seems like a legitimate (and cheap, on hand) option, intuitively at least.

 

[IslandLizard]

My objection to inorganic sources is largely philosophical.

There was, IIRC, some discussion of someone's trials using boiled, spent yeast sometime ago on the LOB forum. If I get a chance I'll see if I can dig that up get the tl;dr on it for you. It certainly seems like a legitimate (and cheap, on hand) option, intuitively at least.

A very valid reason, sure!

Thank you in advance for digging up something on that topic! Maybe you can post it in the Yeast forum in its own thread, so we can find it easier at a later date?

I always pitch from yeast starters, at least 2nd generation, and where not made from fresh packs, often made from higher gen. ranched slurries, never rinsed. There must always be a decent (and ever increasing) percentage of dead yeast in those slurries, relying on them to provide the basic nutrients. I rarely encounter visible or tasteable fermentation problems. I also oxygenate starters and batches well.

 

[balrog]

Good point. All you need to do is download their test sheet, fill it out and send it in with 500ml of the sample. They email you back the results and the bill.

And @HB_ATL73 , it has been recommended to not run water through the typical kitchen faucet aerator as that will alter it slightly as it mixes in some air

And the combination of the two seems less expensive than yeast nutrients which contain zinc.

Do I smell a new thread about homemade yeast nutrient like the homemade PBW thread?

 

[Beer:30]

Sorry gentlemen, I really thought you were done on that topic. My apologies for veering off topic and interrupting. [tiptoes out of room].