Dry yeast

[shunt]

The shop did not have my usual yeast on hand, but had the dry yeast version. Never tried dry yeast. Do I just pitch it or do I throw in some warm water to wake it up? I've heard that both ways work fine. Opinions?

[Blowmax10]

I've done both with success - If its a really high gravity beer, I would definitely rehydrate

[huskerbrew]

I would rehydrate. It doesn't take long and there's really no reason not to. That being said, I've tried them both.

[BadRock]

I've done both, a lot. I have grown to really like dry yeast for most "clean" beers. I have also found that unless you've brewed a huge beer re-hydration is futile.

[Omahawk]

IIRC, US-05 does not specify rehydrating, while Nottingham does. I always follow the instructions on the dry yeast package and haven't had a problem.

[Chupa LaHomebrew]

Yah, rehydrate

[Blowmax10]

Yah, rehydrate

I've really got to stress the laziness factor here.

If you (like me) use dry yeast when you ether don't have the time or the ambition to use liquid yeast and make a started, then pre-boiling water to use to rehydrate is just as much a pain in the butt

again, sometimes I brew according to my work schedule and am not able to plan ahead

I have had excellent results with beers made from non-rehydrated yeast

[one_dead_soul]

i've never hydrated my dry yeast. i just throw it in. if its a big beer i'll put 2 packs or more. i've never had a problem with it. it always starts. i get clean beer and i didn't spend $5-$6 on a tube that i still need to make a starter with. if your doing a belguim or lager beer i wouldn't use it but otherwise that all i use. just toss it in

tom