A question about high gravity beer yeast?

Question

when I shook it up It all didnt come out so I added a little water to it and shook it up and poured it into the carboy....is the yeast still ok and will it do it's job?

Answer 1

Well there's a couple of issues to address here. Let's assume that you've brewed a five gallon batch as that is standard, so issue number one is that you've under pitched most likely. One vial/packet/pouch of yeast is never ideal for a five gallon batch especially for higher gravity beers. You'll want to make a starter culture of yeast in the future which also makes any yeast stuck in the packaging a moot point.

Secondly, adding random water to your batch runs you the risk of infecting your batch unless you've presterilized and cooled the water first.

Are you OK with what you've done? Probably but there is a chance that if your yeast don't take off that you will have infected your batch with the water. By under-pitching your yeast you'll have a greater lag phase which further increases the chance of infection to the batch as well and the yeast might crap out before your beer fully ferments. Everything could also turn out just fine.

Answer 2

It should be fine. Yeast is pretty forgiving stuff and likes to eat up those sugars in your wort. A little water is most likely ok unless it has some contaminates or lots of chorine in it....but I doubt that's the case. I've done this before and not had any problems.

If your fermentation doesn't kick in, repitch some more yeast and things should be fine....a little water in 5 gallons should not ruin a batch.

One pack of yeast should be fine for 5 gallons. Don't get fooled into thinking that you have to go get a new pack of yeast for every batch of beer you make. When your done with this batch...if you like the yeast, save it and use it again. I've used the same yeast in some carboys for well over a year and it still makes great brew. Many breweries have used the same yeast for hundreds of years.

Answer 3

It will still do it's job, only now it's watered down. In essence, you just made a bottle of Miller Lite. If you had pissed in it, it would be Coors light.