White Labs Liquid Yeast Problem

[Rafae]

Last week i brewed up a North Coast PranQster clone that i ordered off AHS. I have never used white labs liquid yeast and simply followed the instructions (didn't make a starter). This was a big beer, about 1.10 if i remember correctly, so i pitched two vials of Trappist Ale WLP500.

A couple days later i was expecting some serious blowout but noticed that only about an inch and a half of krausen had formed. So i removed the blowout tube and put on the airlock. This carboy is currently in a closet that only gets up to ~66. I know it should be a bit warmer but this same spot has worked for the last few batches.

The questions are:

1) Aside from raising the temperature, is there anything i can do at this point to maximize the yeast effectiveness?

2) Was it necessary to have made a started? If so, any suggestions on the easiest way to do this would as I have only used Wyeast before? And can i take the refrigerated yeast and make a starter 4-5 hours before pitching or is it necessary to wait 24 hours?

Thank you much!

 

[mojotele]

Other than raising the temperature, I don't think there's much you can do to maximize the effectiveness of the yeast. You could always pitch more yeast. See what the gravity comes down to, then worry about it.

You probably should've made a starter. Mr. Malty indicates that, for a 1.1 gravity ale with a 5 gallon volume, you'd still need a 2.68 liter starter using 2 vials of yeast. Now, that changes depending on if you use a stir plate (or some other aeration method) and the age of the yeast. But, it does say that 2 vials without a starter is underpitching.

Since you've made a starter with Wyeast, making a starter with White Labs yeast is exactly the same. There's just no smacking involved. In both cases, you should really wait 12 hours minimum before pitching the starter. The bulk of yeast growth is done between 12-18 hours.

 

[TipsyDragon]

at this point i say just leave it alone and walk away. if you can warm it up a couple degrees. otherwise just leave it be and come back in 3 - 6 weeks.