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Author Topic: Will I need to pitch new yeast for bottling?  (Read 3240 times)

Offline mrbounds

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Will I need to pitch new yeast for bottling?
« on: December 06, 2009, 06:23:22 am »
Hi Everyone,

I apologize if this question has been posted before but I am new to this forum business!

I am planning on trying to get some oak flavor into one of my brews by placing oak chips into my secondary and leaving for 6- 8 months, so my question is after this extended period of time will the yeast still be "active' enough to give me carbonation at bottling or will I need to repitch?

Any thoughts on this subject would be very appreciated.

Offline majorvices

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Re: Will I need to pitch new yeast for bottling?
« Reply #1 on: December 06, 2009, 06:36:01 am »
Yeah, I would repitch more yeast if you are bottle conditioning. You will get much more predictable results. Just a pack of US-05 will work perfectly. Be sure to rack onto the yeast in the bottling bucket to be sure it gets distibuted evenly.

Offline bluesman

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Re: Will I need to pitch new yeast for bottling?
« Reply #2 on: December 06, 2009, 08:32:14 am »
Yeah, I would repitch more yeast if you are bottle conditioning. You will get much more predictable results. Just a pack of US-05 will work perfectly. Be sure to rack onto the yeast in the bottling bucket to be sure it gets distibuted evenly.

+1

Plan on adding yeast to the bottling bucket for this one to be sure.
Ron Price

Offline bonjour

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Re: Will I need to pitch new yeast for bottling?
« Reply #3 on: December 06, 2009, 09:05:25 am »
In all likelihood there will be enough yeast left to bottle carbonate.  It may take a little extra time, but it should work.

That said, it is much safer to add some additional yeast,  look at a recent brew that you have done or add some from a pack of dry yeast,  1/4 pack should be more than enough but a full pack won't hurt.

Fred
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Offline babalu87

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Re: Will I need to pitch new yeast for bottling?
« Reply #4 on: December 08, 2009, 06:01:30 am »
I made tiny starters using yeast slurry I keep in mason jars in the fridge for carbonating beers in the past.
Works great, a little like krausening but I still use priming sugar.

Night before I plan on bottling, 200 ml or so of wort and a scant 1/2 teaspoon of the thick slurry
The next morning its a nice and active ready to carbonate bottles.

Sounds more difficult than it is
Jeff

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Offline maxieboy

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Re: Will I need to pitch new yeast for bottling?
« Reply #5 on: December 12, 2009, 11:17:53 am »
6-8 months on oak chips? My initial thought would be: oak juice. Someone with experience with this will have to chime in.
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Offline majorvices

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Re: Will I need to pitch new yeast for bottling?
« Reply #6 on: December 12, 2009, 02:39:45 pm »
6-8 months is pretty long. With chips I usually go about 2-3 weeks. Cubes 2-3 months. Hopefully it will be fine.

Offline mrbounds

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Re: Will I need to pitch new yeast for bottling?
« Reply #7 on: December 14, 2009, 10:38:23 am »
Thanks for the advice everyone.
I have never used Oak Chips before and after hearing that 2-3 weeks may be long enough I think I may sample every couple of days or so until the flavor is to my liking.

Thanks again!