I am fermenting a Czech Bohemian Pilsner. Pitched 4 packs of WLP802 at 52 F. It has been 2 1/2 days and no signs of fermentation activity and no change in SG (1.054). How long is it safe to wait without danger of spoiling the brew? I don’t want to increase temp because I want to stay close to form. I multi-step mashed with Braumeister.
Any suggestions or is this normal for WLP802? Thanks.
I have not used that strain, but three questions
1. How old was the yeast you were using?
3. Are you fermenting in glass or plastic bucket?
4 vials of very fresh WLP802 with May-June 2017 expiration. Oxigenated for 60 seconds as I usually do. Using chiller controlled SS conical fermenter. Solid 52 F.
Good News. After 80 hours from pitch, fermentation started strong at 52 F. I will wait a few hours and start lowering to 50-51 F. Boy, this yeast is sloooow to start.
At this point, lowering to 50-51F is really not going to change much. I would let it stay at 52, especially if the fermentation started off sluggish. Could’ve been a slight underpitch.
At this time, would you suggest adding another vial of WLP802?
No need if your fermentation is going now.
It is down to 1.040 from 1.056 in less than 8 hours at 51F.
I find that crazy hard to believe. Even with my pitches of 25 million cells per milliliter of wort( a ton) I see 6ish points per day. My guess is that it was slowly chomping as 16 points in 8hrs would be like a world record [emoji41]
Check this chart from my digital SG probe:
https://www.thebeerbug.com/main/index.php?id=20000c2a6908b14f
Yea, That’s not right. Gravity doesn’t raise in the fermenter 
The rise you saw were some calibration issues I had and was trying to adjust. From past experience, you get fluctuations because it is a torpedo shape sensor. What I look for is the trend.
Yea my bet is that it started fermentation when it started to dip on like day 2. Then Krausen formed and stuck it to the sensor. When I had my beer bug I could never get it to match actual readings(while fermenting).
Yeah. You are right. At least, it is going and at my target temperature. I’ll keep my fingers crossed.
I’m sure you are good, that was a really nice pitch for that temp. I pitch 5 for 45f.
Thanks. It is slowing moving down. Now at 1.032.