BeerBorg

I brewed a batch of Crown Top Pale Ale yesterday (6/1). I used a vial of washed yeast, Generation 4 of WLP001, which I've never had trouble with before. I didn't have time to make a yeast starter in advance, so I just used what was in the vial, but it looked like a substantial amount.

Everything else about my procedure went well. Pitched in the low-mid 60s, and the ambient temp in the basement it in that range, too.

But I checked as soon as I got home from work. Nothing.

Now, when I've made yeast starters from this washed yeast batch, the starter didn't take off right away, either, and everything went well in the long run. But I can't help worrying a little. I've got a packet of S-04 that I keep for emergencies, and I'm wondering if I should rehydrate it and pitch it tonight, just in case.

What is the collective wisdom of The Borg on this one?

Hi Dave,

While none of us like long lag times... My process is as follows:

1.) Don't Worry
2.) Wait at least 48 hours before Plan B (see #1) [I have had batches go almost 72 hours!]
3.) Have a pack of suitable dry yeast as a Plan B (I see you do!)

My guess is since you didn't make a starter, you have low yeast count so they are probably reproducing now and will not get busy eating until they have sufficient numbers to launch an attack!

Also, as you know, if they are still sitting in the low 60's, they may take longer as well.

Remember, #1 takes priority!

I'm with G, Dave. Let it ride.

I agree with the previous 2. I have seen lag times as long as 3 days before.

Something as simple as a temperature difference between the beer and the yeast can cause a 24 hour lag time.
I use 001 all the time and this happened once when I was on the low side of the correct amount of yeast to pitch. But, 001 has never let me down.

Yeah, I'll wait until I get home tomorrow. That'll be well over 48 hours. If I see any signs of life, I'll RDWHAHB.

As you well know, I don't ever agree with anyone, let alone myself. I thunk you have brewed a bad batch and need to dispose of it immediately. Ship to Me in care of me @ 2054 S Rogers, Mesa, Arid-Zona (come to think f it, ship it to HELL as that is what our temp was today.

Axe-ually, Have a home brew, relax, sleep tight, then ship it to me and I will give you my gods-honest opinion of whether you screwed up or not. As The Lone Ranger once said, "Relax Tonto"

If you are true to the Borg, have we ever heard of Fedora Dave brewing a bad beer batch??? Me thinks NOT.

Gymrat wrote:I agree with the previous 2. I have seen lag times as long as 3 days before.

Yeah, I've had to wait at least 3 days on the WLP European Ale yeast (with no starter).

Wait it out. How old was the vial Dave? This is a 5g batch, right?

I agree that your yeast are waking up and reproducing right now. I'd give it 3 days before worrying myself.

The last three 5 g batches I put into the bucket, ( it's more white than opaque and can't see thru ) only my last batch was the only one I actually was able to see the airlock bubbling away. Only after two weeks and racking to the secondary could I see the results of the yeast feast!

Got krausen this morning, so I feel a lot better about it. Thanks, guys!

The power of positive thinking.

Dave, you need to RDWHAHB! Seems like lots of Monday "Oh my god!" posts from you lately...

Hey, Rick, back off a little, man, I've been having a rough couple of months, beer is my therapy, and I'm liable to go postal if my beer gets upscrewed.

FedoraDave wrote:Hey, Rick, back off a little, man, I've been having a rough couple of months, beer is my therapy, and I'm liable to go postal if my beer gets upscrewed.

I know what you mean. I can't go too long without brewing ... it feels ... just .... wrong.