Membership questions? Log in issues? Email info@brewersassociation.org

Author Topic: Dead yeast?  (Read 4034 times)

Offline madscientist

  • Brewer
  • ****
  • Posts: 321
Dead yeast?
« on: November 13, 2012, 05:31:44 am »
So Sunday I brewed an IPA and pitched a packet of US-05.  Starting gravity was 1.063.  I don't typically rehydrate and have ha excellent results.  So like the others I just sprinkled on top.  Pitching temp was probably around 62.  There have been no visible signs of fermentation.  When I looked at the beer it looks like its done fermenting but there is no Krausen at all.  Refractometer says its still 1.063.  So I'm wondering if the yeast is dead, I killed it, and should I repitch or rouse it somehow.  Yeas was purchased from my LHBS and well within the exp date. 

Thanks
Homebrewed since 2010

Offline ynotbrusum

  • Official Poobah of No Life. (I Got Ban Hammered by Drew)
  • *********
  • Posts: 4887
Re: Dead yeast?
« Reply #1 on: November 13, 2012, 05:56:49 am »
I would repitch at this point, if you have more US-05.  Maybe rehydrate it to verify that the batch is good - it should get frothy in a half hour.
Hodge Garage Brewing: "Brew with a glad heart!"

Offline madscientist

  • Brewer
  • ****
  • Posts: 321
Re: Dead yeast?
« Reply #2 on: November 13, 2012, 06:43:56 am »
Looks like I'm stopping at my LHBS tomorrow since they're closed today.  Do you think if I contact Safeale they'd send me another packet of yeast?  I'd buy a second pack in the meantime, but do they do that if the yeast is dead?
Homebrewed since 2010

Offline Joe Sr.

  • Official Poobah of No Life. (I Got Ban Hammered by Drew)
  • *********
  • Posts: 4467
  • Chicago - NORTH SIDE
Re: Dead yeast?
« Reply #3 on: November 13, 2012, 08:30:52 am »
If you bought it at the LHBS, they ought to replace it for you.

I've never had the issue with dry yeast, but I have had a Wyeast pack replaced when it did not swell.  No questions asked.
It's all in the reflexes. - Jack Burton

Offline euge

  • I must live here
  • **********
  • Posts: 8017
  • Ego ceruisam ad bibere cervisiam
Re: Dead yeast?
« Reply #4 on: November 13, 2012, 10:12:18 am »
Do you have the serial number off the pack? It may be a bad batch.
The first principle is that you must not fool yourself, and you are the easiest person to fool. -Richard P. Feynman

Laws are spider-webs, which catch the little flies, but cannot hold the big ones. -Anacharsis

Offline madscientist

  • Brewer
  • ****
  • Posts: 321
Re: Dead yeast?
« Reply #5 on: November 13, 2012, 02:16:33 pm »
Do you have the serial number off the pack? It may be a bad batch.

Yea I saved the packet from the trash lol.  I am going to call them and see if they can get any info.
Homebrewed since 2010

Offline beerlord

  • Cellarman
  • **
  • Posts: 90
Re: Dead yeast?
« Reply #6 on: November 13, 2012, 02:42:44 pm »
I've had 05 take as long as 36 hours but I underpitched.  I would definitely get more, rehydrate and re-pitch.

Offline redbeerman

  • Senior Brewmaster
  • ******
  • Posts: 1849
  • On the banks of the mighty Susquehanna in MD
Re: Dead yeast?
« Reply #7 on: November 14, 2012, 07:44:08 am »
I just used S-05 in an imperial red I brewed a couple of weekends ago.  I pitched at 60 and the wort temp held low for a couple of days.  It took a good 24 hours before there was any bubbling and 36 before krausen formed.
CH3CH2OH - Without it, life itself would be impossible.

[441, 112.1deg] AR

Jim

Offline davidgzach

  • Senior Brewmaster
  • ******
  • Posts: 1698
Re: Dead yeast?
« Reply #8 on: November 14, 2012, 12:06:36 pm »
How old was the pack?  One pack in 1.063 wort, not hydrated and at 62F could take a while to get going.  You could lose up to half of your viable cells by not rehydrating and at the low end of the temperature range, they could simply be struggling.  I agree with repitching another that is rehydrated. 
Dave Zach

Offline madscientist

  • Brewer
  • ****
  • Posts: 321
Re: Dead yeast?
« Reply #9 on: November 15, 2012, 05:19:08 pm »
So yea... took a while to get going, it's fermenting now.  Should I still reptich?
Homebrewed since 2010

Offline a10t2

  • Official Poobah of No Life. (I Got Ban Hammered by Drew)
  • *********
  • Posts: 4696
  • Ask me why I don't like Chico!
    • SeanTerrill.com
Re: Dead yeast?
« Reply #10 on: November 15, 2012, 05:28:49 pm »
So yea... took a while to get going, it's fermenting now.  Should I still reptich?

Only if you're in a hurry to get to FG for some reason.
Sent from my Microsoft Bob

Beer is like porn. You can buy it, but it's more fun to make your own.
Refractometer Calculator | Batch Sparging Calculator | Two Mile Brewing Co.