Yeast Nutrient, Energizer, or Nothing?

[smyrnaquince]

IIRC, Palmers book says that beer wort contains what the yeast need to thrive and grow. (I think this may not be the case for wine, cider, mead, etc.)

So, do you (should I) use yeast nutrient? Yeast energizer? (I've seen them as separate products.) Or nothing?

Use it on every batch? Only on high gravity batches? Batches with yeast that can be finicky (e.g., Windsor)?

This sort of additive is typically not included in a recipe and instead is part of a brewer's technique, so I am curious about what other people do and I am looking for some guidance.

Thanks!

 

[TastyAdventure]

Subscribed. I randomly picked up some yeast energizer, and after reading around I think I should have got the Nutrient, but I'm not even sure. I need more info on this topic as well


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[roastquake]

Palmer is correct, you can add nutrient as insurance if you suspect you have unhealthy yeast. Energizer has been used to "unstick" stuck fermentations

 

[GrogNerd]

Palmer advises using yeast nutrient in a starter

 

[Puddlethumper]

I keep a little yeast nutrient on hand to use with starters of yeast that I washed and then kept around for a while (a month or more). I don't have any empirical evidence or experience to point to that indicates it helps but it makes sense to me and I find it reassuring. It probably is a good idea for starters with liquid yeast that's been on a shelf a while as well.

 

[Spartan1979]

I use it in starters but have never put it in a full batch.

 

[MaxStout]

I add 1/4 tsp. nutrient to starters, and 1/2 tsp to a full batch. I like to give the yeasties a little help. And if you ever make Edwort's Apfelwein with Montrachet, adding the nutrient is almost essential, unless you want your house to fill up with the aroma of rhino farts from stressed yeast.

 

[Riot]

I always add it in starters, will add it in big, adjunct laden beers, and add a ton when I do Graff so it doesn't smell evil for like a month. I'm starting to think about moving my starters from DAP to the balanced wyeast blend. You can also use DAP to make candy sugar, which is awesome but almost as time consuming as a brew.

 

[Puddlethumper]

unless you want your house to fill up with the aroma of rhino farts .

Would you care to tell us how you learned what rhino farts smell like? :cross:

 

[Beernik]

For beer I only used it with extract brewing. Extracts can lose free amino nitrogen (FAN) as they age. It helped ensure full attenuation.

 

[TastyAdventure]

Lots of talk about Nutrient. What about Energizer? I grabbed some on impulse (now realizing I should've grabbed the Nutrient) and haven't used it yet.
I am about to do a Saison and I hear that some strains can stall out. Would dropping some energizer in there help it finish up?


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