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Yeast Question

  • 04-06-2011 4:27pm
    #1
    kylith
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,737 ✭✭✭✭


    I would like to make some ginger beer, but I've never brewed any sort of alcohol before. I don't have any brewer's yeast, I don't even know where to get any. However I do have baking yeast. Would that be an acceptable substitute?


Comments

  • #2
    seoirserob
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25 ✭seoirserob


    Not as far as I know . . . the type of yeast determines the type of alcohol/methanol, the wrong type will give you too much methanol in your beer, severe hangover material, blinding headaches etc.

    In times past it was said that brewing was for men only, having Women present was deemed bad luck, certain to result in bad beer. We now know that women carry more natural yeasts about their person than men, which could spoil the brew . . .

    The process of sterilising all your equipment is as much about reducing the chances of 'wild' yeast contaminating your container. Control the yeast control the quality.

    Also in times past the beer would have been left to mature in wooden casks, the wood draws out methanol but leave the alcohol . . . I think, I'm no expert, but this id how it was explained to me, my science may be wrong . . .


  • #3
    kylith
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,737 ✭✭✭✭kylith


    Thanks for that. Do you know of anywhere in Dublin City that sells brewer's yeast?


  • #4
    Mr Benevolent
    Closed Accounts Posts: 12,456 ✭✭✭✭Mr Benevolent


    Get it online from eBay. I use Lalvin EC-1118 champagne yeast. I've used baker's yeast and it didn't really get the alcohol content high enough for my mead. I'm now using EC-1118 and my cider is currently maturing at 9.3%.


  • #5
    BeerNut
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 11,975 Mod ✭✭✭✭BeerNut


    My Beer and Wine in Rathmines (beside Domino Pizza) will sort you out. Bear in mind that the "brewer's yeast" sold in health food shops is not viable for brewing.

    My beer blog | The Twitter | My other beer blog



  • #6
    sharingan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 911 ✭✭✭sharingan


    I got a batch on the go and I am regularly sampling. Its fermenting nicely (just exploded a plastic bottle), but we haven't gotten huge alcohol content out of it yet. Only judging by taste. Will have a Hydrometer this week to tell properly.

    The purists will tell you that you that Ginger Beer needs to be made out of something called Ginger Beer Plant, a hybrid yeast/bacterial culture that you can make yourself. I am chancing my arm, to see if I can make some out of the excess ginger that I removed while bottling.

    In any case, the ginger beer I have made so far was a real hit with my friends, but its closer to a refreshing summer drink than anything to go bushing with.

    Biggest problem in the last few days was the rotten temperatures. No way to bring up the temps to let the yeast go to work (except for some smaller bottles that I put in a coolbox and top up with warm water).


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