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Author Topic: Yeast nutrient, is it needed for all grain?  (Read 3060 times)

Offline trapae

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Yeast nutrient, is it needed for all grain?
« on: October 11, 2020, 07:24:23 pm »
Ever since I started all grain brewing, i use yeast nutrient when I throw in my whirlflock.  I ran out today and was looking at buying some more. Chris White’s nutrient states “ If grist is not 100% malt, then yeast nutrient can help make up for lack of nutrients.”  Got me thinking, if I’m doing all grain and do a starter as I always do, do I really need this? Opinions?
I am a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.

Offline BrewBama

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Re: Yeast nutrient, is it needed for all grain?
« Reply #1 on: October 11, 2020, 09:07:21 pm »
I use Fermax. I doubt it’s an absolute requirement but I like my results so I use it.


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Offline Bob357

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Re: Yeast nutrient, is it needed for all grain?
« Reply #2 on: October 11, 2020, 10:07:03 pm »
Even pure barley malt is deficient in zinc, which is essential for some enzymatic functions. I started using nutrients several years ago and can't truthfully say whether or not I've noticed an improvement that can be traced back to nutrients alone. For the pennies it adds to the cost of a batch of beer, I can't see not using it.
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Offline hopfenundmalz

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Re: Yeast nutrient, is it needed for all grain?
« Reply #3 on: October 11, 2020, 10:10:45 pm »
I use Yeast nutrient, it has zinc.
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Offline Semper Sitientem

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Re: Yeast nutrient, is it needed for all grain?
« Reply #4 on: October 12, 2020, 02:59:45 am »
As others have stated, it’s cheap insurance.
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Offline kramerog

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Re: Yeast nutrient, is it needed for all grain?
« Reply #5 on: October 12, 2020, 08:20:52 am »
I only use nutrient for high gravity brews because zinc is likely to be deficient in high gravity brews and for lower gravity kveiks.

Offline denny

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Re: Yeast nutrient, is it needed for all grain?
« Reply #6 on: October 12, 2020, 08:47:34 am »
I use it in every starter and batch.  Because why not?
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Offline mabrungard

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Re: Yeast nutrient, is it needed for all grain?
« Reply #7 on: October 12, 2020, 06:13:27 pm »
The need for yeast nutrient is largely dependent upon the water.  Water without zinc (like RO and distilled), needs the nutrient.
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Offline trapae

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Re: Yeast nutrient, is it needed for all grain?
« Reply #8 on: October 12, 2020, 10:23:37 pm »
Realized that my fermentation starts quicker with nutrient.
I am a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.

Offline goose

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Re: Yeast nutrient, is it needed for all grain?
« Reply #9 on: October 15, 2020, 08:05:57 am »
I use it in every starter and batch.  Because why not?

I do exactly the same thing.  Just a pinch in my starters (usually 2-3 liters) and 1/2 tsp of yeast nutrient (I use the Wyeast one) per 5 gallons of wort.
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Offline Cliffs

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Re: Yeast nutrient, is it needed for all grain?
« Reply #10 on: October 15, 2020, 10:13:08 am »
Realized that my fermentation starts quicker with nutrient.
ive never noticed quicker fermentations with nutrient, but I have when using pure 02 to oxygenate.

Offline denny

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Re: Yeast nutrient, is it needed for all grain?
« Reply #11 on: October 15, 2020, 10:15:56 am »
Realized that my fermentation starts quicker with nutrient.
ive never noticed quicker fermentations with nutrient, but I have when using pure 02 to oxygenate.

And I have never found any difference between a 1 hour start and a 72 hour start.
Life begins at 60.....1.060, that is!

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Offline trapae

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Re: Yeast nutrient, is it needed for all grain?
« Reply #12 on: October 15, 2020, 11:20:33 am »
Denny, do you mean no difference in taste when you have early versus late fermentation start?
I am a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.

Offline denny

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Re: Yeast nutrient, is it needed for all grain?
« Reply #13 on: October 15, 2020, 11:27:38 am »
Denny, do you mean no difference in taste when you have early versus late fermentation start?

No difference in taste, FG, or any other meaningful measure.
Life begins at 60.....1.060, that is!

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

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Offline Cliffs

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Re: Yeast nutrient, is it needed for all grain?
« Reply #14 on: October 15, 2020, 11:33:05 am »
Denny, do you mean no difference in taste when you have early versus late fermentation start?

No difference in taste, FG, or any other meaningful measure.
I notice a more rapid and complete fermentation when I use O2, so that is reason enough for me to use it, however I concede that if the proof is in the glass, it might not be necessary.