birdman mark
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I've got 5.5 gallons of an attempted doppelbock wort that has not started fermentation in 192 hours (8 days)! I'm looking for advice on how to salvage this wort. Background: this is my 19th batch, 11th AG. This is only my 2nd lager attempt and this first one is going great; it was a pilsner and is lagering now. This current stalled wort was my first time using Wyeast; always used dry yeast previously.
Two mistakes that I know that I made: 1. I have never aerated the wort any more than pouring it from kettle to carboy. 2. I have never made a yeast starter.
I smacked the wyeast 2206 pack when we started the batch, thinking that 5 hours would be plenty to get it going. When were cooling the wort, the package was still not swelling, so we made a starter with a half cup of DME, allowed the starter to go overnight at ~65F, and cooled the wort to ~70. 24 hours later, the wort was ~60F and we agitated the carboy and pitched. Since then, the wort has been at ~50-52F and we have seen no activity.
OG = 1.066 (I know, too low for a doppelbock, oops)
8 days later, gravity = 1.066
There is a layer of sediment (which I thought was dead yeast cells) ~2" thick at the sides.
I have an oxygenation kit on order. I have two main questions:
1. should I syphon off the top and reboil the wort before pitching new yeast?
2. should I try pitching another lager yeast, or cut my losses and just make this into a strong ale by pitching a reliable dry ale yeast?
Thanks for any input!
Mark
Two mistakes that I know that I made: 1. I have never aerated the wort any more than pouring it from kettle to carboy. 2. I have never made a yeast starter.
I smacked the wyeast 2206 pack when we started the batch, thinking that 5 hours would be plenty to get it going. When were cooling the wort, the package was still not swelling, so we made a starter with a half cup of DME, allowed the starter to go overnight at ~65F, and cooled the wort to ~70. 24 hours later, the wort was ~60F and we agitated the carboy and pitched. Since then, the wort has been at ~50-52F and we have seen no activity.
OG = 1.066 (I know, too low for a doppelbock, oops)
8 days later, gravity = 1.066
There is a layer of sediment (which I thought was dead yeast cells) ~2" thick at the sides.
I have an oxygenation kit on order. I have two main questions:
1. should I syphon off the top and reboil the wort before pitching new yeast?
2. should I try pitching another lager yeast, or cut my losses and just make this into a strong ale by pitching a reliable dry ale yeast?
Thanks for any input!
Mark