Hello,
I just brewed the second beer I have ever used the liquid wyeast activator package on yesterday. The last brew I did with the activator pouch didn't turn out so well at all (I wrecked the beer with my carlessness.) However I did have this same issue.
I smacked the pack the night before and made sure the inner nutrient pouch was broken. I then shook up and agitated my package (lol) properly and set it on the counter to expand over night. When I checked on it in the morning ready to brew it did expand a little but not like in the photos and videos online. It was arguable to weather it expanded at all but with a little investigation I discovered there was some air pressure inside the pouch.
What am I doing wrong here? I let that sucker sit for about 12 hours before using it after breaking the nutrient package. Is my homebrew shop selling me inferior products? At this point I am thinking about going back to dry yeast as I don't trust this liquid yeast but I think that may be a step in the wrong direction.
To add to my nerves I am brewing for the first time ever in glass... so I can see the brew as it ferments and I am freaking myself out looking at it wondering, Should it look that way? I guess the shock of dumping a whole 5 gallon batch has stuck with me... as did the wasted cash to my bank account.
Please give me some advice. Thanks,
