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

Author Topic: Smack Pack Variability  (Read 2866 times)

Offline dhacker

  • Brewmaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 684
Smack Pack Variability
« on: July 19, 2010, 04:45:50 pm »
Well . . . My Old Jubilation clone got put on hold this past weekend as lightning caused me to get called out for some repair work. Anyway, when I "popped" the pair of WY1028 packs to make twin 1 gallon starters. One pack was hideously swollen after 8 hours, the other . . not so much. Not the first time I've had this happen, but have always wondered why the differing personalities with the identical yeasts that have the same date codes.   

???
Just brew it...

Offline denny

  • Administrator
  • Retired with too much time on my hands
  • *****
  • Posts: 27093
  • Noti OR [1991.4, 287.6deg] AR
    • Dennybrew
Re: Smack Pack Variability
« Reply #1 on: July 20, 2010, 08:33:44 am »
Interesting question.  I'd suggest emailing Greg Doss at Wyeast and see if he has an explanation.
Life begins at 60.....1.060, that is!

www.dennybrew.com

The best, sharpest, funniest, weirdest and most knowledgable minds in home brewing contribute on the AHA forum. - Alewyfe

"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts." - Bertrand Russell

Offline mindar

  • 1st Kit
  • *
  • Posts: 8
Re: Smack Pack Variability
« Reply #2 on: July 27, 2010, 11:07:40 pm »
I've heard of this before. My LHBS said it was why they only sole White Labs.

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: Smack Pack Variability
« Reply #3 on: July 27, 2010, 11:36:46 pm »
Because if the White Labs vials were different, you'd never know? ;)
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.

Offline dhacker

  • Brewmaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 684
Re: Smack Pack Variability
« Reply #4 on: July 29, 2010, 05:41:42 am »
 :D :D
Just brew it...

Offline dhacker

  • Brewmaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 684
Re: Smack Pack Variability
« Reply #5 on: July 30, 2010, 07:31:36 am »
Interesting question.  I'd suggest emailing Greg Doss at Wyeast and see if he has an explanation.

I did . . as of yet, no response.
Just brew it...

narvin

  • Guest
Re: Smack Pack Variability
« Reply #6 on: July 30, 2010, 07:42:33 am »
Because if the White Labs vials were different, you'd never know? ;)

You jest, but it probably does cause a lot of trouble for LHBSs.  In reality, the yeast is usually still good, and they should probably be making a starter with it anyway.

Offline dhacker

  • Brewmaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 684
Re: Smack Pack Variability
« Reply #7 on: July 30, 2010, 02:43:48 pm »
Ah . . I did just get a very nice response from Greg . .


Unfortunately, I do not have a good answer for this situation other than
it should not happen.  Assuming that the nutrient packets in both
packages (identical strain and lot#) were ruptured, they should expand
the same.  CO2 production is an indicator of culture health, so it may
be possible that one of the packages was compromised at some point.  If
the package showed signs of swelling and then was put into a starter,
there is less reason for concern.  If the package was to be directly
pitched into wort, additional inoculum may be necessary.

Yeast is a living organism and is subject to a loss in
viability/vitality over time.  All cultures leave our facility meet
our rigid specifications, allowing us to guarantee the quality and
performance of our products.  If you have concern over the culture,
please return it to your retail shop for a replacement culture.

I hope that this helps.

Cheers,

Greg 

 

As it turned out, the starters took off just fine and so did the Old Jubilation fermentation. Wyeast comes through again!  :)
Just brew it...

narvin

  • Guest
Re: Smack Pack Variability
« Reply #8 on: July 30, 2010, 02:59:48 pm »

As it turned out, the starters took off just fine and so did the Old Jubilation fermentation. Wyeast comes through again!  :)

And the smack pack concept is proven pointless yet again  ;)