Beer Forum

PLEASE HELP ME NOW!

I'm sorry, I'm a rookie and I have a problem. I'm brewing an ale, (Bass type) and I unwittingly used a Propagator instead of an Activator I pitched it, then realized that I needed to make a starter and culture before pitching. IS there anything I can do to save the brew or is it lost?
I pitched at about 3pm Sunday . . .aerated and sealed the carboy with airlock and it is sitting undisturbed in my brewing closet. Can I drop some more yeast in it and have it be okay? How long can a wort sit without yeast? SHould I refrigerate, re-boil and re-pitch some fresh Yeast?

Please help.

Well, your beer probably isn't lost, it just might not be as good... and won't start vigorous fermentation as quickly... the yeast you pitched will take a while to multiply up to regular levels, and this is where some off flavors could be produced. I've done this many times when I first started out as well, so don't sweat it too much... just be patient and see how it comes out. You can always re-pitch more if you want, but wait and see what happens first.

How long should I wait before re-pitching?

brother...wait it out..if you dont see anything after 4 or 5 days, then repitch. A lot of folks are gonna freak and say repitch now..Its fine..wait it out

Sean

If you don't see any activity by tomorrow night, then repitch, but it should be doing at least something by tomorrow... if you made a Pale Ale, your OG was probably around 1.050 or so? This is an average strength beer, and your yeast shouldn't have too many problems in getting a fermentation going by tomorrow night.

In my opinion, you should get a couple of vials or a slurry into that thing asap. I would be willing to bet that thing will not ferment out and end up sweet.
A quick step in improving your beers will be to always make a starter even with the smack packs and vials

Wow, thanks for all the quick responses. I've seen ambulances take longer. I just don't want to ruin a kettle of ale that's all. Being a good boy from Milwaukee (Shout out to Ken Norton) I'd probably be excommunicated from my local "church", have to do a bunch of 'ale Mary's and an all night Novena.

Bottoms Up!

Thanks.

That subject reminded me of a Nigerian email scam.