Fermcap-S: does it mess with your yeast?

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by ronobvious2, Apr 21, 2015.

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  1. ronobvious2

    ronobvious2 Initiate (0) Aug 24, 2010 Tennessee

    I brewed up a Stone IPA clone this weekend. Did everything right as far as I can tell. My last two brews have had blow-offs, the first I've ever experienced, so I bought some Fermcap-S and thought I'd give it a go. Normally an IPA doesn't have a blow-off, but I put some in there anyway. I pitched my yeast (a fresh vial of WLP001) but I got not a bubble for the first 24 hours. I had aerated with O2, added Wyeast yeast nutrient, all of that. I opened the conical over - no visible activity, just clear-looking wort. So last night I had an 'emergency' packet of US-05, rehydrated, and pitched again. I had airlock activity this morning so it may not be a lost cause. I had previously searched this forum and another about Fermap-S and NB's and maybe MoreBeer sites too. No one mentioned anything about any side effects. Thoughts?
     
    #1 ronobvious2, Apr 21, 2015
  2. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    I have used Fermcap-S a handful of times for my higher gravity beers. I have never experienced any fermentation issues when using this product.

    Did you make a yeast starter of the WLP001?

    Cheers!
     
    #2 JackHorzempa, Apr 21, 2015
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  3. jbakajust1

    jbakajust1 Pooh-Bah (2,552) Aug 25, 2009 Oregon
    Pooh-Bah

    I use it on all my beers: starters, boil, fermentation. Never had any issues with fermentation or head stability.
     
    #3 jbakajust1, Apr 21, 2015
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  4. JoeSpartaNJ

    JoeSpartaNJ Zealot (691) Feb 5, 2008 New Jersey

    I use it in every brew and have no problems. It does reduce the amount of krausen that gets produced significantly. It may also reduce the vigor of fermentation too, but never stalls out. Hard for me to say as my fermentation buckets are old and I am sure I get some CO2 loss thought the bucket lids and I also cannot see what is going on.

    They only blow off issue I have ever had after using fermcap was on a batch of hefeweizen. I made a 1L starter and it went nuts.....White Labs hefe yeast with a starter is no joke.
     
    #4 JoeSpartaNJ, Apr 21, 2015
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  5. Brew_Betty

    Brew_Betty Initiate (0) Jan 5, 2015 Wisconsin

    #5 Brew_Betty, Apr 21, 2015
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  6. ronobvious2

    ronobvious2 Initiate (0) Aug 24, 2010 Tennessee

    Nope. Didn't feel the need. Could be although doubtful that something had happened to my yeast. I had purchased it recently and it was fridge stored the entire time. Oh well. We'll see what happens. Things seem to be kicking off now.
     
    #6 ronobvious2, Apr 21, 2015
  7. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    For your consideration here is what Williams Brewing publishes in their catalogs concerning White Labs yeast: “A starter must be made before brewing.”

    In contrast for Wyeast yeast: “Wyeast liquid is unique in that it comes in incubator packs that when property activated, swell to indicate you have live yeast.”

    When I homebrew with liquid yeast I prefer Wyeast since by smacking the pack I have assurance that the yeast inside is live/viable.

    My guess is that you experienced viability issues with WLP001.

    FWIW, I solely use US-05 when I want to brew with California Ale yeast.

    Cheers!
     
    #7 JackHorzempa, Apr 21, 2015
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  8. Brew_Betty

    Brew_Betty Initiate (0) Jan 5, 2015 Wisconsin

    It's rare for yeast to not work at all. You pitched liquid yeast without a starter. It isn't unheard of for it to take 2-3 days before you see some airlock action. One day is premature for adding more yeast. One vial of 001 is an under pitch, so the s-05 that you likely didn't rehydrate will provide a reasonable amount of total cells for the batch.

    Anti-foaming agents don't inhibit fermentation. It is unrelated to your situation.
     
    #8 Brew_Betty, Apr 21, 2015
  9. ronobvious2

    ronobvious2 Initiate (0) Aug 24, 2010 Tennessee

    I did rehydrate the US-05.
     
    #9 ronobvious2, Apr 21, 2015
  10. Brew_Betty

    Brew_Betty Initiate (0) Jan 5, 2015 Wisconsin

    Then you over pitched. Bummer!

    Don't worry, it will be fine.
     
    #10 Brew_Betty, Apr 21, 2015
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