Wyeast Virgin

[Tiger Ed]

I have just finished brewing my Christmas Ale and as I wanted it to have a malty and slightly fruity fermentation profile I used Wyeast 1099 Whitbread Ale yeast (Smack Pack) for the first time.
I followed the directions to the letter and everything worked as it said it would on the back of the pack. My concern is its been 2 days since I pitched it and nothing. I have up until now only used Lallemand dried yeast (Mainly Nottingham Ale) and after 2 days using the dried yeast it would be going like a steam train. Is there something wrong.
                                      Tiger Ed
PS The fermenter is in a fermentation fridge at 20c

[CH]

Did the pack inflate before you opened it

[delzep]

Is the yeast old?

[Tiger Ed]

The yeast is well in date and the pack inflated as it said in the instructions but it did take over 3 hours at a room temp of 24c

[Simon_]

Should be fine healthy yeast if the package swelled. I'm sure it'll be fine. If you'd made a starter the lag would've been less

[mac2k]

I with Simon on this one...  probably not as much viable Yeast with a pack, even a couple of months old, so it takes a few more days to get going. had this recently with a stout I brewed. I would normally have a starter, but just pitched a 3 month old pack recently, no issues at all, but it took 3 - 4 days for airlock activity.

[CH]

Double check your lid and bubbler, if you have Krausen it's ok and just the co2 getting out elsewhere

[Tiger Ed]

Thanks Guys
                  Panic over,it started this morning all but very slowly. checked the lid and all is well, hopefully it will kick on from now.

[CH]

I know you shouldn't need to but I still make a starter for all liquid yeasts, unfortunately you may have some stressed yeast flavours now??

[Simon_]

Starters give some peace of mind as well. See through carboys are good too for bring able to see what's going on

[nigel_c]

What was the OG of the beer?

[Thewicklowhopscompany]

I would recommend a starter for all wyeast and white labs they have the lowest pitch rates in the industry for home brew packs.

[Tiger Ed]

Thanks lads for your replies.
The og was 1.063 and spot on the recipe that also called for the 1 pack on Wyeast 1099 Whitbread yeast. As I said I am a Wyeast virgin so I just followed the instructions on the back of the pack, having said that it is now bubbling away, maybe not as ferociously as the Nottingham Ale yeast I use but definitely ok.

[Simon_]

I read suggestions that homebrewers should pitch a little bit less in English style beers in order to get some esters. But I think that might pertain to lower o.g. beers because they do seem to generally have lower attenuation. Would be interested what you're final gravity finishes up with.

[Tiger Ed]

Update
My tale of woe continues. 3 days of bubbling and then nothing, all is quit since yesterday. I think there must have been something wrong with the yeast. I'm going to give it a good shake and leave it till Sunday then I will take a gravity reading if its high which I think it will be I will pitch more yeast. Trouble is I only have Nottingham Ale yeast. What do you Think.