Brewing Master

Question:

I’ve had a couple of Wyeast smack packs of Belgian Abbey ale yeast in fridge for about a year.  I ordered a Belgian Dubbel recipe kit from Homebrew Adventures with dry yeast figuring I’d use my liquid. I smacked the first pack on Monday, saw no action.  Smacked the second one yesterday, no action.  Made a starter and put both in figuring that maybe some yeast were alive.  After 5-6 hours, not a bubble. I have 1056 American Ale and 1007 German Ale in the fridge I’m sure are both good.  I also have a London and European ale yeast in fridge from same time frame as Abbey.  The dry yeast that came with the kit is Doric.  Since this is a fairly high starting gravity (1.070), which is my best option? I’m going on travel Sunday for a week so I really must brew tomorrow. I’m considering the dry yeast since that came with the kit (extract w/ adjuncts).  Comments would be appreciated Sid

Response:

Well, I’m assuming the packs in the fridge are still unsmacked?  If you’re brewing today, then it is too late to use any of those.  If you can possibly get a vial of White Labs Trappist locally (today), that would be my first choice.  Second choice would be to use your starter of 1214, but ONLY if it is showing signs of activity by the time you are ready to pitch, and smells/tastes OK.  Third choice would be go with the dry yeast. — – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve had a couple of Wyeast smack packs of Belgian Abbey ale yeast in fridge for about a year.  I ordered a Belgian Dubbel recipe kit from Homebrew Adventures with dry yeast figuring I’d use my liquid. I smacked the first pack on Monday, saw no action.  Smacked the second one yesterday, no action.  Made a starter and put both in figuring that maybe some yeast were alive.  After 5-6 hours, not a bubble. I have 1056 American Ale and 1007 German Ale in the fridge I’m sure are both good.  I also have a London and European ale yeast in fridge from same time frame as Abbey.  The dry yeast that came with the kit is Doric.  Since this is a fairly high starting gravity (1.070), which is my best option? I’m going on travel Sunday for a week so I really must brew tomorrow. I’m considering the dry yeast since that came with the kit (extract w/ adjuncts).  Comments would be appreciated Sid

Response:

When I got up today, I finally saw some activity in the starter.  It’s not much, but enough for me to go with it.  Unfortunately, there isn’t a local shop around.  The closest I know about is near Annapolis MD, about 1 1/2 hours away. Thanks for the input. Sid – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Well, I’m assuming the packs in the fridge are still unsmacked?  If you’re brewing today, then it is too late to use any of those.  If you can possibly get a vial of White Labs Trappist locally (today), that would be my first choice.  Second choice would be to use your starter of 1214, but ONLY if it is showing signs of activity by the time you are ready to pitch, and smells/tastes OK.  Third choice would be go with the dry yeast. — I’ve had a couple of Wyeast smack packs of Belgian Abbey ale yeast in fridge for about a year.  I ordered a Belgian Dubbel recipe kit from Homebrew Adventures with dry yeast figuring I’d use my liquid. I smacked the first pack on Monday, saw no action.  Smacked the second one yesterday, no action.  Made a starter and put both in figuring that maybe some yeast were alive.  After 5-6 hours, not a bubble. I have 1056 American Ale and 1007 German Ale in the fridge I’m sure are both good.  I also have a London and European ale yeast in fridge from same time frame as Abbey.  The dry yeast that came with the kit is Doric.  Since this is a fairly high starting gravity (1.070), which is my best option? I’m going on travel Sunday for a week so I really must brew tomorrow. I’m considering the dry yeast since that came with the kit (extract w/ adjuncts).  Comments would be appreciated Sid

Response: