Brewers Yeast

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Chris123

Brewers Yeast

Post by Chris123 » Mon Oct 06, 2008 4:31 pm

Hello.

Further to my previous thread - I used some brewers yeast on Saturday which has worked really well. I have a 4 inch load of foam on top of the brew, which has been there since Saturday and I wonder whether I should skim it off? Is it OK sat on top of the beer ?

Many thanks, Chris.

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Garth
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Re: Brewers Yeast

Post by Garth » Mon Oct 06, 2008 4:47 pm

if it's a nice creamy white looking colour then I'd leave it, it's protecting your brew and there's a lot of yeast in there, if it's got thrown up trub and muck, like browny crusty bits and if there's a lot of it maybe you could skim the mucky bit off leaving the creamy white head. If it's early in fermentation and you remove some of the head it usually reforms after a few hours.

a well sanitised sieve is ideal for removing trub from the head, or a slotted spatula thing works ok

Chris123

Re: Brewers Yeast

Post by Chris123 » Mon Oct 06, 2008 5:30 pm

Thanks for the reply. Do you know whether the creamy head can be skimmed off and reused ?

Chris.

agentgonzo

Re: Brewers Yeast

Post by agentgonzo » Mon Oct 06, 2008 5:37 pm

It sure can.

Chris123

Re: Brewers Yeast

Post by Chris123 » Mon Oct 06, 2008 6:52 pm

This is the first time I have used Brewers Yeast. I was using Windsor before and that was done generally after 3-4 days. This looks like it will keep going and going. Doesn't seem to be any let up yet!

I take it the head will subside whether the fermentation process is over ?

Thanks, Chris.

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Aleman
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Re: Brewers Yeast

Post by Aleman » Mon Oct 06, 2008 7:03 pm

Chris123 wrote:I take it the head will subside whether the fermentation process is over ?
Possibly not, a good top working brewery yeast will sit on the top of the wort and laugh at you . . . You just have to remove the beer from under it . . . or skim it, then syphon the beer off

Chris123

Re: Brewers Yeast

Post by Chris123 » Mon Oct 06, 2008 7:12 pm

OK thanks for that.

I fancy trying to save some of this yeast and use it next time. Any ideas on good storage methods ?

How long do you think before I should check the gravity - yeast was pitched on Saturday.

Chris.

coatesg

Re: Brewers Yeast

Post by coatesg » Mon Oct 06, 2008 11:14 pm

Aleman wrote: Possibly not, a good top working brewery yeast will sit on the top of the wort and laugh at you . . . You just have to remove the beer from under it . . . or skim it, then syphon the beer off
I have exactly this issue facing me soon - using the Hopback yeast rescued from 2 Summer Lightning bottles. Big old thick gloopy mess, but at least it's no longer trying to get out of the FV :lol:

Ho hum.

agentgonzo

Re: Brewers Yeast

Post by agentgonzo » Tue Oct 07, 2008 10:28 am

I racked off a brew last night that was brewed with Oakleaf's yeast (which was originally Hop Back but has mutated after 8 years). There was still a thick creamy head about 5-10mm thick on the top that just wouldn't set.

As for storing yeast, there are plenty of pages on here with loads of information. In short, if you're going to be using it within a week or two, sanitise a jam-jar, skim the yeast into there with a sanitised spoon (kitchen blow torches are ace at sterilising metal objects) and store in the fridge. If using within about 5 days, it probably doesn't need a starter.

steve_flack

Re: Brewers Yeast

Post by steve_flack » Thu Oct 30, 2008 10:51 am

Aleman wrote:
Chris123 wrote:I take it the head will subside whether the fermentation process is over ?
Possibly not, a good top working brewery yeast will sit on the top of the wort and laugh at you . . . You just have to remove the beer from under it . . . or skim it, then syphon the beer off
It looks like WY1469 (West Yorkshire) is a top worker. It's finished in my beer and is defiantly sitting on top of my beer in a thick layer of yeast - not foam but thick yeast. It was a bit of a problem as at the end of fermentation the accumulation of yeast on top of the beer filled my airlock, sealed it and then the pressure built up until the bung went flying and covered the brewery ceiling, walls and surrounding area in yeast.... Bugger. Curiously it hadn't done this during the active fermentation but only at the end.

Madbrewer

Re: Brewers Yeast

Post by Madbrewer » Thu Oct 30, 2008 11:39 am

osi wrote:where i can purchase Brewers Yeast ? plz solve my big problem
Really it depends on which yeast you want? Your local Micro Brewery will probably be able sell you some if you want it live, otherwise I'd recommend getting some S04 or Nottingham 'dry yeast' from your local home brew shop (assuming you want to do an Ale?) however www.the-home-brew-shop.co.uk do mail order if you are stuck. For a Lager you'd need a lager yeast like Saflager.

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