Beer/Yeast

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Expert: - 5/3/2011


Question
QUESTION: I have a Coopers Home Brewing Kit and bought the kit for Canadian Ale,  I put the entire box in the refrigerator including the yeast. I mixed the batch yesterday and as of this morning I don't have any bubbles coming out of the air lock. The temp is between 22-24c. Did refrigerating the yeast kill it? I had taken everything out of the fridge several days before mixing everything yesterday.

ANSWER: There are several possible issues here.

The fridge stay did not hurt anything.

The 22 - 24c is fine.  

It may take up to 48 hours to get a response or to see bubbles.

Your ale yeast will like a temp between 22c and 25c.  

The real question is what was the original gravity?  Oh, did you have dry or liquid yeast in your kit?  I am guessing dry.  If so did you start your yeast in a starter?

Send the answers to these and I will be better able to answer your question.

Alan

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Alan,

The original gravity was 1050, I used dry yeast and I did not start the yeast in a starter ( how do you do that?). The current temp is between 24 & 26c, I have a heating pad underneath the fermenter and have this set at medium. There is condensation on the lid and the water in the air lock has moved a little from last night but still no bubbles.

Thanks for your help.


Pat

Answer
It is possible that there is fermentation but not visible.  Go ahead and take a hydrometer reading.  You should see a drop of at least 10 by this point.  If there is no drop then the yeast are dead.  If you have a drop of 10 or more your okay.

I have had beers that had little bubble activity but still fermented.

As to a starter.  I always pitch my dry yeast in a cup of warm water with a little yeast neutrient. Cover with plastic wrap and let is sit for an hour.  You should see bubbles as the yeast reactivate.  If you do not have neutrient you can use a little bottling sugar.

If your yeast is not active you will need to pitch some more or chance loosing the batch.

Let me know what your reading is.

Beer

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Alan Ward

Expertise

I am a home brewer who has been brewing since 2000. For us brewing is a family activity with everyone helping in some small way. We brew mostly all grain batches, but we do some kits. I have built all of our equipment. We bottle and keg. Drop us an line, we will be glad to assist with answer or help you find where the answer is. In October 2008 we opened the Brigadoon Brewery & Brew School at the Texas Renaisance Festival. This is a unique brewpub and teaching facility located on the grounds of the Texas Renaissance Festival in Plantersville, Texas. To our knowledge we are the only functioning brewpub located on the grounds of a renaissance festival brewing using both period specific equipment and modern equipment to brew hand crafted ale and then serving it back to the public. Where we offer hands on training and live period appropriate all grain brewing through out the day. Drop by and we will be glad to answer any question you have. You can checkout the brewery at www.brigadoonbrewery.com or follow on twitter@brewschool.

Experience

Home brewing since 2000. Started with a Mr. Beer kit and worked our way up to all grain.

Former chemistry and physics teacher.

Education:
Bachelors Arts Teaching; Master Instructional Technology
Currently the Managing Member and Brewmaster for Brigadoon Brewery & Brew School.

Organizations
Master Brewers Associaiton of America Texas Craft Brewers Guild American Home Brewers Association Brewers Association

Education/Credentials
Bachelors in Sports Medine from Sam Houston State University Masters in Instructional Technology from American Intercontinental University

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