Yeast nutrient

[dean]

Wow!  1/2 a teaspoon might be pushing it … maybe not for big beers though.  I made a 5wall gallon batch of .060 using 1/2 tsp and it made the beer taste like vegemite(sp?)

Yeck… an acquired taste I guess… and I don’t want to acquire it.  Lol!

[tygo]

@dean

Wow!  1/2 a teaspoon might be pushing it … maybe not for big beers though.  I made a 5wall gallon batch of .060 using 1/2 tsp and it made the beer taste like vegemite(sp?)

Yeck… an acquired taste I guess… and I don’t want to acquire it.  Lol!

I’m not sure what made the beer taste like vegemite but I’m pretty sure it wasn’t the yeast nutrient.

[denny]

@dean

Wow!  1/2 a teaspoon might be pushing it … maybe not for big beers though.  I made a 5wall gallon batch of .060 using 1/2 tsp and it made the beer taste like vegemite(sp?)

Yeck… an acquired taste I guess… and I don’t want to acquire it.  Lol!

Good to see ya, man!  You must have been using a different nutrient than I am.  There is no discernable taste from 1/2 tsp.

[donsmitty]

So I was at my local Brew and Wine Hobby store today to pick up some supplies and since I am planning on my first all-grain, I asked about yeast nutrient/energizer and both owners looked at me and kind of smiled and said, we have never used it and it.  They both said it was not necessary as the yeast would get all it needs from the grains being mashed.  So I didn’t buy any.  But I keep asking myself, what harm would be it be to add a little nutrient/energizer to the pot.  Almost like baseball players using performance enhancing drugs…  after all, I want that yeast to over perform in that fermentor.  What do you all think?  Use it or not?

[denny]

@donsmitty

So I was at my local Brew and Wine Hobby store today to pick up some supplies and since I am planning on my first all-grain, I asked about yeast nutrient/energizer and both owners looked at me and kind of smiled and said, we have never used it and it.  They both said it was not necessary as the yeast would get all it needs from the grains being mashed.  So I didn’t buy any.  But I keep asking myself, what harm would be it be to add a little nutrient/energizer to the pot.  Almost like baseball players using performance enhancing drugs…  after all, I want that yeast to over perform in that fermentor.  What do you all think?  Use it or not?

I started using it in the kettle a few years ago for the reason you mention…cheap insurance.  I think maybe it helps, but I can’t say for sure.  I know it doesn’t hurt and it’s inexpensive to use.  In addition, since I’ve already got it, I add it to starters.  I rhink that may have more value even than adding it to the kettle.

[kramerog]

@dean

Wow!  1/2 a teaspoon might be pushing it … maybe not for big beers though.  I made a 5wall gallon batch of .060 using 1/2 tsp and it made the beer taste like vegemite(sp?)

Yeck… an acquired taste I guess… and I don’t want to acquire it.  Lol!

Some types of yeast nutrient comes from autolyzed yeast, which is where vegemite comes from.  In fact, I was at a brewery and they pulled some yeast from the bottom of a conical and added it to the boil to create their own yeast nutrient.  I’m planning to do the same from my fermenter this weekend.  When did you put in the yeast nutrient, Dean?

[hopfenundmalz]

Wort is deficient in zinc.

[donsmitty]

@denny

@donsmitty

So I was at my local Brew and Wine Hobby store today to pick up some supplies and since I am planning on my first all-grain, I asked about yeast nutrient/energizer and both owners looked at me and kind of smiled and said, we have never used it and it.  They both said it was not necessary as the yeast would get all it needs from the grains being mashed.  So I didn’t buy any.  But I keep asking myself, what harm would be it be to add a little nutrient/energizer to the pot.  Almost like baseball players using performance enhancing drugs…  after all, I want that yeast to over perform in that fermentor.  What do you all think?  Use it or not?

I started using it in the kettle a few years ago for the reason you mention…cheap insurance.  I think maybe it helps, but I can’t say for sure.  I know it doesn’t hurt and it’s inexpensive to use.  In addition, since I’ve already got it, I add it to starters.  I rhink that may have more value even than adding it to the kettle.

Denny, are you using a nutrient or an energizer?  Brand name?  Thanks.

[denny]

@donsmitty

@denny

@donsmitty

So I was at my local Brew and Wine Hobby store today to pick up some supplies and since I am planning on my first all-grain, I asked about yeast nutrient/energizer and both owners looked at me and kind of smiled and said, we have never used it and it.  They both said it was not necessary as the yeast would get all it needs from the grains being mashed.  So I didn’t buy any.  But I keep asking myself, what harm would be it be to add a little nutrient/energizer to the pot.  Almost like baseball players using performance enhancing drugs…  after all, I want that yeast to over perform in that fermentor.  What do you all think?  Use it or not?

I started using it in the kettle a few years ago for the reason you mention…cheap insurance.  I think maybe it helps, but I can’t say for sure.  I know it doesn’t hurt and it’s inexpensive to use.  In addition, since I’ve already got it, I add it to starters.  I rhink that may have more value even than adding it to the kettle.

Denny, are you using a nutrient or an energizer?  Brand name?  Thanks.

I use Wyeast nutrient.

[mtnrockhopper (Jimmy K)]

@donsmitty

Denny, are you using a nutrient or an energizer?  Brand name?  Thanks.

Nutrient is like a nice smoked turkey and roasted red pepper sandwich on whole wheat bread for your yeast. Promotes good health. Their cell is their temple.

Energizer is like meth.

[wort-h.o.g]

@mtnrockhopper

“Yeast energizer” is probably DAP or diammonium phosphate, which is pretty much meth for yeast. It’s great for getting yeast to finish a big beer, but it’s not really what you want for yeast starter unless it also contains nutrients and/or yeast hulls. You’re trying to build yeast health, not just get them to work faster/harder. Yeast hulls is just dead yeast which the yeast will scavenge for micronutrients. DAP really isn’t helping in a low gravity starter wort which the yeast can easily ferment anyway.

my ld carlson yeast nutrient says mad of food grade urea and diamond phosphate. my ld carlson yeast energizer says made of diamond phosphate, springcell, magnesium sulphate.  the previous comment about the names and what its made of is “frustrating” seems appropriate.  wyeast yeast nutrient says it has A blend of vitamins, minerals, inorganic nitrogen, organic nitrogen, zinc, phosphates and other trace elements that will benefit yeast growth and complete fermentation.

like the others, im left confused on what brand to use and how they differ.

[donsmitty]

Thanks Denny and thanks Jimmy for that analogy.  I can relate to food.  You have convinced me that it won’t hurt to add a little nutrient to the wort.