Wimpy Activator

[Spelt]

I'm brewing an IPA today and I have a question. Plan on pitching a Wyeast Activator to a 1.8L starter this AM. The Activator is only 3 weeks old based on born-on date and has been refrigerated since arriving here from NB. Now it's been a warm summer and despite smacking the activator 6 hours ago, I'm only getting a little inflation of the pack. So that brings us to the issue. My starter is designed around an initial 100 billion pitch. Is the fact that the Activator isn't inflating proof that I'm underpitching the starter? Am I going to get enough yeast to pitch to my 5.5gal wort?

[Bugeater]

The name "Activator" on the pack indicates the true nature of the smack pack. Breaking the little pouch on the inside of the pack adds just enough starter wort to the yeast to get it active and show it isn't dead. No yeast growth takes place to the lack of food.

I've seen old packs take off and fully inflate in 3 hours or so. On the other hand I have seen new ones take almost 24 hours. To be safe I always smack the thing at least 12 hours before pitching it into the starter. Once in the starter, it takes another 12-18 hours for fermentation to finish out.

The pack theoretically contains enough yeast for a 5 gallon batch of beer. For consistently good results you need at least twice that amount, thus the reason for a starter. The starter should be at least a liter, preferably two liters. Without a starter, fermentation will be slow to start, giving other organisms a chance to get started before the yeast can take over.

It appears that your yeast is not dead, but you don't really have time today to build a big enough yeast count for a good vigorous fermentation. I would either wait until tomorrow to brew or pitch a dry yeast package.

Wayne

[Spelt]

Thanks Wayne, that's reassuring. Yeast has been pitched for about an hour and I won't likely get my wort chilled for pitching until 7 or so this evening. Won't be quite at high krausen but its the best I can do today. I figure 3/4 of a starter growth is better than none at all and brewing will certainly need to happen today. I appreciate the feedback.

[Cliff]

The Activator is only 3 weeks old based on born-on date and has been refrigerated since arriving here from NB.

Yeasts can live a hell of a long time in sterile deionized water.

smacking the activator 6 hours ago, I'm only getting a little inflation of the pack.

Then it's healthy. I am guessing you are not keeping it at a warm enough temperature
Try a water bath of 70 - 75 degrees F .

Let it grow a little while longer.

[Spelt]

Well I gave the starter about 12 hours to grow up (but never saw much in the way of active fermentation of the starter wort) and then pitched to the wort. Pretty active fermentation by about 18 hours. Now I'll wait to see how low I drive the FG. Lesson learned -> Smack the pack the day before and build the starter the night before so it has at least 18 hours to get to high krausen. The best part of screwing up is learning not to do it again.