A Tale of Two Yeasties (001 & 051)

[TimmyR]

I brewed an IPA on July 4th that was split into two 5.5 gallon ferments. I pitched 2 vials each grown up in 1.4L starters on stir-plates and then decanted (target cells were 1.3X Mr. Malty calculator). OG 1.068. Mashed at 150-151F. The WLP001 is now at 1.012; the WLP051 is now at 1.028. I am not too concerned since I KNOW the 051 seems to take its own sweet time, but thought I'd throw this out on the boards to see what experience others have had with 051. I anticipate it'll ferment down to around 1.018 or less in another 2-3 weeks. The fermentation schedule has been 67F for 5-6 days then ~ 1 degree per day rise to 72F.

[a10t2]

I've never had an ale fermentation take that long (13 days?) to get to FG. I hate to say it, but I think you need to get some active yeast in there ASAP.

[TimmyR]

I've only brewed with 051 one time before and it was slow to attenuate. I am unable to do anything until at least Friday. I suppose I'll order some yeast and plan to pitch an active healthy starter on Saturday. What strain should I consider pitching?

[a10t2]

I'd just rack the 051 batch directly onto the 001 yeast cake.

[TimmyR]

That's a pretty good idea. I just dry-hopped the 001 batch in the primary though but the timing'd be about right since I plan to keg the 001 next Saturday.

I'll take some gravity readings when I am back in my basement at the end of the week and go from there.

[TimmyR]

I am not too worried. A week to see what happens will not change or hurt the beer. Plus, based upon the 001's performance, the wort is fermentable and the 051 should perform.

[Rictanica]

Lately my 001 fermentation have been at close to 13 days, with sluggish fermentations. But Iv'e been messing with temp's about 60f. I really like the taste profile of the 051, Maybe better than 001. It should finish out. When I ferment low in temp with 051 it takes some extra time as well. But it doesn't attenuate quite as much. To be expected though.

[TimmyR]

7/23/11
OG 1.068
WLP 001 - 1.010 85% apparent attenuation
WLP 051 - 1.016 77% apparent attenuation (still some light activity in air lock)

I am leaving the '51 6 more days, then racking and dry-hopping.

As for the WLP001 - I have Chinook and Cascade whole leaf hops. I am going to keg-hop 3-gallons in a corny. Any suggestions?