Direct Pitch Activator

Activator Product Information and Usage

Activator packages are designed for direct inoculation of 5 gallons of standard gravity ale wort. Activator packages contain live yeast cells in a liquid slurry. This yeast slurry is packaged in an optimum condition for storage, while maintaining the ability for rapid and complete fermentation.

Activator packages include a sterile liquid nutrient pouch that, when smacked, releases its contents into the yeast slurry and activates the package. The available nutrients initiate the culture's metabolism which in turn generates CO₂ and causes swelling of the package. This process will reduce lag times by preparing the yeast for a healthy fermentation prior to inoculation. Activation also serves as a viability test of the culture. Expansion of the package is an indicator of healthy (viable and vital) yeast. Although beneficial, cultures do not need to be activated prior to inoculation.

Usage

The Activator package contains a minimum of 100 billion cells in a yeast slurry.. The Activator is designed to directly inoculate 5 gallons of standard strength ale wort (1.034-1.060 SG) with professional pitching rates. For lagers, we recommend inoculating the wort at warm temperatures (68-70°F/ 20-21°C), waiting for signs of fermentation, and then adjusting to the desired temperature. Alternatively, for pitching into cold conditions (34-58°F/ 1-14°C) or higher gravity wort, we recommend increasing this pitching rate. This can be achieved by pitching additional Activator packages or by making a starter culture. Please see the Pitch Rate section for additional information.

Instructions for the proper use of Activator packages:

1. To Activate, locate and move inner packet to a corner. Place this area in palm of one hand and firmly smack the package with the other hand to break the inner nutrient packet. Confirm the inner packet is broken.
2. Shake the package well to release the nutrients.
3. Allow the package to incubate and swell for 3 hours or more (it is not necessary for this package to fully swell before use) at 70-75°F (21-24°C).
4. Use sanitizing solution to sanitize the package before opening.
5. Shake well, open and pour the Activator into 5 gallons of well aerated or oxygenated wort up to 1.060 OG at 65-72°F (18-22°C). Maintain temperature until fermentation is evident by CO₂bubble formation, bubbling airlock or foaming on top of wort. For high gravity or low temperature fermentations additional yeast may be required.
6. 6. Adjust to desired fermentation temperature.

Full swelling of Activator packages is not required for their use. The contents of Activator packages may be direct-pitched without prior activation. Our smack pack technology is intended to be a tool for your use in determining viability, and in initiating metabolism for faster starts to fermentation.

Warranty

Our Product Warranty states that we guarantee the viability of the yeast in our Activator packages for 6 months from the manufacture date assuming that they have been properly shipped, stored and handled. Our superior packaging material provides 100% oxygen barrier and UV light protection making this exceptional guarantee possible. During this 6 month guaranteed shelf life, some loss of viability is to be expected. This will vary from one strain to another. Activator packages that are 4 months old or older may require additional time to swell after activation.

Activator packages will sometimes swell slightly, or moderately during shipping or later while properly stored. This is not an indication of deterioration if the package is less than 6 months old and has been properly handled. This is result of trace amounts of nutrients, still available at the time packaging, causing small amount of culture activity and CO₂ production. Some strains are more prone to this than others.

We think you'll agree our unique Smack Pack is preferable to all other liquid yeast packaging options to assure the success of your fermentations.