Wine nutrient in beer?

[Nick667]

Can I use Vitners Harvest wine Nutrient as a yeast nutrient in my beers to help yeast health? Its just that I have a bag left over from another project.

 

[Lyrebird_Cycles]

Short answer: yes.

Most of these nutrients are yeast solids + DAP. The better ones are just yeast solids (from specialised yeast cultures): the mixed ones are an expensive way to buy DAP and it shouldn't be added at the same time as the complex nutrient anyway.

The easy way to tell is to look at the total N value per unit weight: Yeast solids are generally around 8%, DAP is 21%.

 

[Nick667]

Short answer: yes.

Most of these nutrients are yeast solids + DAP. The better ones are just yeast solids (from specialised yeast cultures): the mixed ones are an expensive way to buy DAP and it shouldn't be added at the same time as the complex nutrient anyway.

The easy way to tell is to look at the total N value per unit weight: Yeast solids are generally around 8%, DAP is 21%.

Also when to add.


It does have DAP. How much should I use for 24ltr brew? The packet says 12 to 18 grams per 23lts. Also it is past best before = May 2017.

 

[Garfield]

Lyrebird is on the money but can I add:

When? As early as possible. Late ferment additions can leave residual nitrogen in the beer which has an ammonium taste. Perhaps at flameout so you can also sanitise the nutrient. Be warned - don't breath deeply! I would personally used in a yeast starter flask rather than a brew.

How much? First, remember that wine yeast has much more sugar to work through as grape must (juice) can have OG range from 1080 (i.e. add 12 gram nutrients) to 1140 (i.e. add 18 grams nutrient). I would work backwards from there. For example, 23 litres of wort @ 1040 OG may only need 6g nutrient, etc.

Good luck

Garf

 

[manticle]

LC can probably confirm but proprietary beer nutrients should contain zinc and other trace elements that may be insufficient otherwise. Not sure if wine nutrient will also.

Late to the party, I know

Even if your nutrient has no added zinc, it will be better than nothing in the right amount. I add mine to the boil@ 10-5. Smells a tad (ammonia), not the end of the world though.

 

[wynnum1]

I think better to not use or use smaller quantity it does have vitamins and minerals could use as fertilizer.

 

[Lyrebird_Cycles]

Brewing regulation is a lot more lax than wine regulation. I believe this is because, in the eyes of the regulators, beer is a manufactured product and wine is a "natural" product (whatever that might mean).

Brewing nutrients are allowed to contain supplements such as extra thiamine, magnesium and zinc.

Wine nutrients are not allowed to contain vitamins or mineral supplements apart from DAP (a nitrogen source). It is illegal to add vitamins to wine* and the list of allowed mineral additives is very short and concentrated on acid adjustment.

*It is permissible to add vitamins to a yeast culture, however, and the culture may be added to wine.