Wyeast didn't work.

[BradTheGeek]

First time using a smackpack. Thought I broke the inner pouch, the pack swelled some. When I added to my wort the inner pouch was still intact (it actually looked as if there were 2 inner pouches attached to each other and one was empty, but may have been so from the start). I added the yeast, cut the nutrient pack and added it too. Now, 4 days later there is no activity in my airlock. I opened once on day two and saw no signs of yeast growth.

This is a simple yeast beer for a fruit addition in secondary, low hops, fairly low OG (1.048). Yeast was Wyeast German Wheat.

I do not want to open again and risk infection even more if the yeast isn't taking. At the house I have a pack of Nottingham. When I get back from work tonight I am going to try to salvage this baby. Should I use the nottingham or go back to LHBS and get something more appropriate for this beer?

Hopefully when I go to pitch this time I wont see any infection.

Any pointers or ideas appreciated.

 

[JonM]

Check the gravity. It may have started fermenting with no airlock activity. If there's no change in gravity, I'd pitch the Nottingham.

 

[rekoob]

+1, that's what I would do.

 

[progmac]

Your wort wasn't hot, was it?

Fermentation temperature?

Expiration date of smack pack?

 

[IslandLizard]

2 Things.

1. One smackpack is really not enough for a 5 gallon batch, even at that lowish gravity and the yeast being super fresh. You should have made a starter.

2. Have you taken a gravity sample? Let that be your guide. Airlock activity is not an indicator of fermentation.

You're using a bucket right? Here's how I sample.
Sanitize the airlock/grommet area well and pull out the airlock. Sneak a skinny sanitized 1/4" OD hose down the grommet hole, and suck and siphon some beer out into a jar. Pull the hose out when you got enough, so it doesn't flow back.

While at it, you can also peak down that hole and check for krausen. Replace the airlock.

 

[BradTheGeek]

Popped the top today. Added more yeast, same variety, started this time. Some white circles could not tell if mold or yeast rafts. No krausen. I think this one may be a done deal :/

 

[Doctor_M]

Popped the top today. Added more yeast, same variety, started this time. Some white circles could not tell if mold or yeast rafts. No krausen. I think this one may be a done deal :/

...... what did the gravity reading say? Please tell me you took a gravity reading.

 

[BradTheGeek]

I did. It was within .01 whcih is within my margin of reading/correction error. Still smelledmlike wort too no yeast or alcohol smell at all.

I opened again tonight. Looks like new yeast is starting to take off. Spots are definitely white mold, but only 6 to 12 small rafts. Should I fish them out and pray?

 

[BradTheGeek]

Okay, the second pitch has taken. There is a nice healthy looking krausen now. I did not get the few unknown rafts out, but they cannot be seen for the krausen now. Hopefully this one will turn out goo. It is for an event, and I was worried. I do not have primary space for 2 at once so if I wanted a backup batch I would have to dump this one, as there is not much time left before the event.

Thanks for everyone's input.

 

[Doctor_M]

....If it were me I would dump it out and start over. If it wasn't for an event I would let it ride.