Wyeast weirdness...

[stuknkrvl]

Hello again,

My buddy and I brewed a fifteen gallon batch of IPA yesterday but we don't have a stir plate or flasks to make a proper starter, so we used three Wyeast smack packs (1272).

Here's the issues -

• None of the smack packs had any real appreciable swelling
• One of the nutrient packs didn't burst

I've never had a smack pack not swell up, and I know it says they may not necessarily swell up, but it's strange that it happened with all three.

We went ahead and pitched them all anyway (cut open the nutrient pack that didn't burst and mixed it in with the yeast), but I'm wondering if anyone else has ever had this happen? Am I gonna have fermentation issues?

Thanks!

 

[motobrewer]

what was the date on the packs?

 

[stuknkrvl]

what was the date on the packs?

Manufacture date on all three packs is 23 March 2015

 

[beergolf]

Dates on the packs is a good question. Also even wih three packs you probably underpitched for 15 gallons.

It is not necessary for the pack to swell. It happens sometimes. If the yeast was fresh it will ferment.

You really should learn to make starters. You do not need a stirplate, but it is much easier with one. Just set it and forget it. But you can do starters in any vessel. Just make the starter and every time you walk by give it a good shake. You can see if the yeast is viable and it gets it revved up to go.


Edit: with that date you definitely way underpitched.

 

[sudbuddy]

My guess is that you will have fermentation issues, but mostly from under-pitching. 3 smack packs for a 15 gallon batch isn't much to begin with, plus if the yeast isn't very healthy to begin with you will have even less. If the nutrient pack doesn't break, hit it harder. Definitely go out and invest in a flask or clear growler to start making starters. You will notice a dramatic improvement in your fermentation and your finished beer once you do that, plus it's a heck of a lot cheaper than buying a bunch of smack packs

 

[stuknkrvl]

You really should learn to make starters...
Edit: with that date you definitely way underpitched.

Yep. Starters is top of my list.

Thanks!

 

[flars]

Your beer probably has not begun fermenting yet, due to the under pitch. You could rehydrate two packs of US-05 for pitching today. US-05 is a neutral yeast, not the same yeast strain as WY 1272, but the extra yeast may prevent higher levels of esters from the under pitch of 1272.

 

[azscoob]

You under pitched, but I wouldn't fuss over it, it just may take longer to ferment, and then maybe let it bulk age a couple/few weeks longer to clean up after itself if there are off flavors..... You may lose some hop flavor in the aging, so dry hop a week before bottling or kegging.

 

[stuknkrvl]

You may lose some hop flavor in the aging, so dry hop a week before bottling or kegging.

Plan to dry hop with three ounces Willamette.

So another question... if one smack pack is supposed to be good enough for a five gallon batch, why is it that three packs (one pack for each five gallons) is underpitching? Is it not simply linear like that?

 

[sudbuddy]

wyeast says that one pack is enough for an OG up to 1.060, but that is not entirely accurate. You want a LOT of yeast. Pick up Chris White's book on yeast for some very dry reading, or just check around HBT for the mountains of threads on yeast pitching and propagation

 

[KartRacer54]

Plan to dry hop with three ounces Willamette.

So another question... if one smack pack is supposed to be good enough for a five gallon batch, why is it that three packs (one pack for each five gallons) is underpitching? Is it not simply linear like that?

You certainly would have been much better off if date was recent using 3 smack packs.
With that being said, making a simple starter would make a huge difference. Using older yeast and step up starter is also a remedy.
Read up on reclaiming yeast and you will have saved enough for the flask, stir plate and DME in very short order!
Best of luck with the current batch, may not be your best brew but it will be drinkable and enjoyable beer.

 

[Singletrack]

If the... doesn't break, hit it harder.

Valuable advice for many of life's challenges -- especially smack packs. Consider a bigger hammer, too.

 

[sudbuddy]

Best of luck with the current batch, may not be your best brew but it will be drinkable and enjoyable beer.

It's still gonna be better than Budweiser

 

[Riot]

Get a gallon pickle jar and make starters in that. You don't need a stir plate, just shake it every time you walk by, you will still end up with appreciable yeast growth. Or build a stir plate, they can take a bit of tinkering to get to work well but it really is only like a 10 dollar project

 

[stuknkrvl]

Or build a stir plate, they can take a bit of tinkering to get to work well but it really is only like a 10 dollar project

Any suggestions on where to find plans for one?

 

[KartRacer54]

Tons of builds here on HomeBrewTalk, check out DYI thread, under stir plates.

 

[stuknkrvl]

How long can I let my wort go and safely/effectively repitch? I live a little over an hour from my HBS. I'm already 36 hours in with no activity and it may be another day or two before I can get to the store for more yeast.

 

[mkyl428]

How long can I let my wort go and safely/effectively repitch? I live a little over an hour from my HBS. I'm already 36 hours in with no activity and it may be another day or two before I can get to the store for more yeast.

I wouldn't worry about it by that time it should be rocking :rockin:

 

[stuknkrvl]

Well it took the better part of three days, but looks like my yeast finally came to the party! Looking forward to this one. Also bought the stuff to build a stir plate so I can make my own starters.

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