What do you guys do to “break” the inner packet when the whole thing is swelled? I forget if the nutrients are in the inner bag or the yeast.
They’re in the yeast. All the inner bag has is wort, and demonstrates that the yeast is viable through the swelling. Something that you already know by now.
I would just make a starter and forget about the inner bag.
Not according to their site. Second paragraph.
Anyhow, if it is swollen, the pack may have opened in transit. I agree, just role with it and make a starter.
Tapatalk won’t allow me to edit.
Thanks for the info guys! I usually make a starter no matter what anyhow so, should be good.
Bob, I often get them swollen or sometimes they swell in the fridge. I’ve never found a broken nutrient pack when that happens and the yeast has always been fine. I seldom even bother to smack them before making a starter.
Ive had some swell up, I wish I could remember which variety. Seems like it was a lager, maybe bohemian
Do you guys toss the nutrients in with the yeast starter? Seems like it would be a waste not to.
Yes
Absolutely. IMO, it’s more important in the starter than in the beer itself.
Nope. Not necessary, so I don’t hassle with it. Besides, I always add a bit of nutrient to my starters.
Where I live in southern Oregon, this seems to be a recent phenomenon in the last couple of years, i.e., that most, if not all smack paks are partly swollen (some worse than others) at the retailers. I don’t like it, but, maybe it’s not really an issue?
Jim, I haven’t found it to be an issue at all. And for me it goes back more than just a few years.