Help - yeast not starting

Frenchie · Post by **Frenchie** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 7:50 pm

Hi

Our first AG brew yesterday and disaster has struck at the last(ish) hurdle. Our yeast has failed to start despite sitting in the wort (aerated etc.) at a comfy 21 degrees for the last 18 hours.

Is all hope lost or can we rescue it?

Cheers
Helen

macleanb · Post by **macleanb** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 8:04 pm

What have you done so far and what do you have to hand?

Frenchie · Post by **Frenchie** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 8:17 pm

So far we've given it a stir. We haven't got any more brewers yeast, only dried bread yeast.

Cheers (hopefully..)

Post by **Jim** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 8:27 pm

Have a look at this FAQ.

As well as the info in the thread itself, there's a couple of good links.

stevezx7r · Post by **stevezx7r** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 8:40 pm

If all else fails, throw the bread yeast in, you've nothing to loose.

In the meantime, make sure the lid is on tight to avoid any nasties getting hold of the wort.

Make sure you follow the link that Jim posted first, i.e. rouse the yeast etc. before resorting to bread yeast.

Frenchie · Post by **Frenchie** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 9:09 pm

Thanks for the advice everyone - will wait till the morning (now we've given it a stir) and see what happens - maybe give it another rouse and some more aeration then if nothing's changed.....

Being in the middle of nowhere it might take us a while to get hold of any more yeast (or yeast nutrients?) - any idea how long we can keep the wort (with the lid on) before it's time to give up and chuck it out?

Thanks again, and fingers crossed.......

mysterio · Post by **mysterio** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 9:37 pm

What yeast did you use?

Talisman · Post by **Talisman** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 8:23 am

I had this with my first AG brew and i think it took 4 days in the end to start fermenting.

What temp is your FV at? I gave mine a good stir, added some nutrient and wrapped a fleece jacket around it, bang 12 hours later off it went like a rocket.

Since then ive always added 5 teaspoons of nutrient, then pitched in the yeast (which i re hydrate first - get 200ml of warm water add in the dry yeast, stir in well. Put a teatowel over the top of the jug and leave for 20 mins or so, and it becomes active. *this may not be how everyone does it but it works for me*

Frenchie · Post by **Frenchie** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 8:54 am

Happy to report that we seem to be up and runnning this morning.

Having seen no sign of life last night, I thought I would put the lid on tight to keep things sterile long enough to find some more yeast. Found the lid halfway across the garage floor this morning, and a healthy-looking head on the beer - result!

Thanks for all the tips - will make sure we've got extra yeast & some yeast nutrient handy next time in case of need: otherwise, I guess it's a question of not panicking too soon......

Cheers!

P.S. mysterio - it was a White Labs Belgian Ale yeast (in a pitchable solution)

Talisman · Post by **Talisman** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 9:14 am

Pleased its going now for you.

Since doing the rest of my AG's ive have fermentation going in under 24 hours. In fact i need bigger FV's as i always have made fermentation and foam and crud pushes the lid off and pours over the side and cupbard base

when it goes, it goes baby.

Frenchie · Post by **Frenchie** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 9:47 am

Aha - good call! Starter it is next time then.

macleanb · Post by **macleanb** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 4:44 pm

Found the lid halfway across the garage floor this morning

Been there, got the T-Shirt, clip the lid on all the way round, then break the seal in one place. It may still overflow, but at least it will remain covered.

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Help - yeast not starting

Help - yeast not starting