Yeast Harvest
Today I transferred the next batch of White Ale into two 20bbl bright beer tanks to get it ready to bottle and keg. I also transfered the second batch of Pale Ale into a lager tank, where I am going to hold it until we get labels in.
I harvested both yeasts. The Wit yeast had some big chunks of ice mixed into it. We have a issue with these big 40bbl tanks, when you turn on the cooling, it takes some time to figure where the valve should be or you end up getting a significant amount of ice forming on the inside of the tanks. I wish I had my camera on me, I pulled probably 15 gallons of ice chunks out of the tank, so I could get at the yeast to harvest them! The yeast look good under the scope, and I think they will be very well chilled until tommorrow, when we are going to use them in another 40bbl batch of white ale.
I showed the ice to Chris, and he says he thinks he can hook up some automatic thermostats to these tanks. He is getting more confident about the things he can do around here! Thats good, because I would like to have more fermentation temperature control. Lagers are easy, but these ales can take off in a hurry, and get really warmer that I would like. And we just happen to have some steam-rated thermostats laying around the brewery from the previous owner.. but thats another story.
The pale ale yeast was in very good condition. I only wish I could brew with it again soon! I put a cylinder of it in storage. Tommorrow, i’m going to put a couple liters of fresh wort in the keg with it, and keep it in a ice batch. By feeding the yeast, you can store them for much longer, up to a month. I had good luck doing this with our lager yeast a year ago, when we were down for a month re-doing the fermentation room floor.
I’m very excited about the Bike Ride. I am borrowing a friends Burly and I am going to use it haul a 1/6th barrel of beer all the way to Amana! I know that Jeff over at Stone City said that it was a real pain in the butt back when he used to do it in his “beer chariot”. I never actually saw him do it though, so I guess i’ll find out. What type of beer should I bring on the ride? Right now i’m thinking Pale Ale would be the best.
July 13th, 2004 at 6:44 am
Well, keep in mind that we hauled two 1/6 barrels on the beer chariot attached to the four-man Quadrabike. Going solo, I’d only put one 1/6 in the trailer.
For a warm summer’s day, I’d say the Pilsner or Pale would be perfect. I know I’m enjoying the keg of pils I have on tap. Too bad the Warsh Pail isn’t selling better. I know I’ll do my part by buying a keg when I get back from Idaho.
July 13th, 2004 at 7:18 am
Would love to come along on the bike ride, but I’ll be headed to Idaho to explore hot springs and brew pubs.
On our Spring Ride in March, we took along John’s and Schild Brau, I believe. Both were a big hit.
July 13th, 2004 at 11:48 am
You took along two 1/6th barrels? Was that difficult to haul? Did you finish them by the end of the ride? (that would make them lighter!) I’m really getting more into cycling.. next year i’ll have to do the spring ride too.