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

Author Topic: I think I already know the answer but...  (Read 1565 times)

Offline morticaixavier

  • I must live here
  • **********
  • Posts: 7781
  • Underhill VT
    • The Best Artist in the WORLD!!!!!
I think I already know the answer but...
« on: October 05, 2011, 10:43:46 am »
I know that you should not reuse a yeast cake from a higher gravity ferment to a lower gravity but what about from a high gravity to another high gravity?

details;
I have a 1 gallon batch of 1.110 in primary now, it will remain for at least another week or two. If I brewed a 5 gallon batch of the same wort and pitched to the cake would I be asking for trouble?

I am guessing the answer is yes but I though I would put it out there anyway.
"Creativity is the residue of wasted time"
-A Einstein

"errors are [...] the portals of discovery"
- J Joyce

Offline tschmidlin

  • I must live here
  • **********
  • Posts: 8198
  • Redmond, WA
Re: I think I already know the answer but...
« Reply #1 on: October 05, 2011, 10:46:03 am »
I wouldn't do it.  The yeast are already going to be pretty unhappy, so yeah, I think that would be asking for trouble.

You'd be better off pitching a lower gravity beer on that cake.
Tom Schmidlin

Offline davidgzach

  • Senior Brewmaster
  • ******
  • Posts: 1698
Re: I think I already know the answer but...
« Reply #2 on: October 05, 2011, 11:07:36 am »
Is it a high gravity yeast or no?
Dave Zach

Offline morticaixavier

  • I must live here
  • **********
  • Posts: 7781
  • Underhill VT
    • The Best Artist in the WORLD!!!!!
Re: I think I already know the answer but...
« Reply #3 on: October 05, 2011, 12:32:38 pm »
Is it a high gravity yeast or no?

no not high gravity yeast. just a wyeast british (Burton I think, no notes with me.)

I wouldn't do it.  The yeast are already going to be pretty unhappy, so yeah, I think that would be asking for trouble.

You'd be better off pitching a lower gravity beer on that cake.

So are you saying I could pitch a lower gravity wort on the cake from the BW? I though you were not supposed to pitch a lower gravity on a higher gravity cake? I will be doing this partigyle so if that is doable is still saves me a couple bucks. Not sure it's worth it though.
« Last Edit: October 05, 2011, 12:34:19 pm by morticaixavier »
"Creativity is the residue of wasted time"
-A Einstein

"errors are [...] the portals of discovery"
- J Joyce

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: I think I already know the answer but...
« Reply #4 on: October 05, 2011, 12:36:26 pm »
High-gravity fermentations are stressful, period. So the rule of thumb really should be "don't re-pitch from a high-gravity beer." If you need to because of scheduling issues, I'd harvest about a third of what you need for the second beer, and build up in a low-gravity starter.
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 tschmidlin

  • I must live here
  • **********
  • Posts: 8198
  • Redmond, WA
Re: I think I already know the answer but...
« Reply #5 on: October 05, 2011, 12:39:00 pm »
Sorry, I meant it would do better in a low gravity wort because it would be more gentle on the yeast, not that it was a good idea.  Like Sean said, the rule of thumb is to not re-use yeast from high gravity ferments.
Tom Schmidlin

Offline morticaixavier

  • I must live here
  • **********
  • Posts: 7781
  • Underhill VT
    • The Best Artist in the WORLD!!!!!
Re: I think I already know the answer but...
« Reply #6 on: October 05, 2011, 12:40:20 pm »
Okay, In the compost with that yeast cake. Thanks
"Creativity is the residue of wasted time"
-A Einstein

"errors are [...] the portals of discovery"
- J Joyce