On Sunday evening I pitched a vial of WLP011 European Ale Yeast into 20litres of a Kolsh style recipe with an OG of 1042.
The yeast was within its best before date (it was one of the free yeast vouchers from Brewcon) and the wort temperature was at 23 C.
It has been roughly 36 hours and there is no sign of fermentation yet, no bubbling or pressure in the FV. The temperature is still reading at 22 C. I'm worried that if the fermentation doesn't start soon the beer may be spoiled. I didn't make a starter which was a mistake in hindsight, where should I go from here?
22c seems high. I would lower it to 18
Yep you should have made a starter but bit late now ;D
Even if its within its best before date it might still be quite old
If you don't see anything by tomorrow morning I'd throw in some dry yeast
Packet of dry straight away, you have already stressed what you have chucked in :(
I direct pitched vial of 029 last month and had a terribly long lag time too. I think it was 3 days before I had actions and I had to give it a hand. I heated the FV a little and it took off (but I was at 18 and moved to close to your temp). I don't know what 011s top range is but maybe up it to that or just leave it. I wouldn't pitch more yeast yet.
This article made me feel a little better while I was freaking out about the lack of activity http://brulosophy.com/2015/04/20/yeast-pitch-rate-single-vial-vs-yeast-starter-exbeeriment-results/
The take home for me is just don't throw vials in without a starter.
Started bubbling 2 hours ago :)
Quote from: Qs on June 30, 2015, 11:22:26 AM
I don't know what 011s top range is but maybe up it to that or just leave it.
It's supposed to be 60-70F so top is about 21c
Quote from: BavarianGal on June 30, 2015, 12:28:07 PM
Started bubbling 2 hours ago :)
Cheers for all the advice here guys, if the FV has finally started bubbling now, hopefully it'll be a success from here. One takeaway from this is that I need to stock up on some DME to make a starter for the next batch.
Quote from: Qs on June 30, 2015, 11:22:26 AM
I direct pitched vial of 029 last month and had a terribly long lag time too. I think it was 3 days before I had actions and I had to give it a hand. I heated the FV a little and it took off (but I was at 18 and moved to close to your temp). I don't know what 011s top range is but maybe up it to that or just leave it. I wouldn't pitch more yeast yet.
This article made me feel a little better while I was freaking out about the lack of activity http://brulosophy.com/2015/04/20/yeast-pitch-rate-single-vial-vs-yeast-starter-exbeeriment-results/
The take home for me is just don't throw vials in without a starter.
Cheers Qs I'll have a read of that!
You just want your yeast to be running the party and know what he is there for and not some gate crasher.
An experienced brewer told me that under pitching was like throwing a pensioner into a harem of willing virgins, it's gonna take ages and result is gonna be interesting, a mental image I am still receiving counselling for.
Quote from: Ciderhead on June 30, 2015, 01:53:59 PM
You just want your yeast to be running the party and know what he is there for and not some gate crasher.
An experienced brewer told me that under pitching was like throwing a pensioner into a harem of willing virgins, it's gonna take ages and result is gonna be interesting, a mental image I am still receiving counselling for.
Well when you put it that way it makes complete sense ;D