Energy drinks as yeast nutrient?

[natas6171]

has anyone had success using one of the many energy drinks available? i've read on other forums that the nutrients added to these beverages ( b vitamins, proteins, amino acids etc.) will meet the needs of yeast, and how much would i use?

[rad14701]

I think LWTCS tried something like that and as I recall the outcome wasn't all that great tasting... I've since deleted our PM's related to that experiment so perhaps he can provide more information...

[LWTCS]

Really can't recall about taste. I don't take notes. I'll check my posts. I too deleted all the PM dialog

But remains clear to me is that it fermented very slow and in fact did not finish.

I'm thinking my yeild was at least 25% less than any typical "All Bran" that I had run up to that point.

[LWTCS]

Well old posts reveal that my yeild was down by say 15 to 20%, but me and my likker mooching friends managed to enjoy.

To many other good recipes to futz around with that one any more. I believe that was my feeling at the time.

[kiwistiller]

there would be preservatives in there. and it would be a bloody expensive way to get nutrients.

[MuleKicker]

Boy, I would think your yeast would go like hell with a little red bull. I know I do. Besides, I agree it may not be the most cost effective way to get nutrients, plus all the added garb in those things.

[LWTCS]

there would be preservatives in there. and it would be a bloody expensive way to get nutrients.

Yep. on all counts. Check, check and double check.

I had to find out for myself. And I recon natas6171 will also take the bumpy road on this.

[natas6171]

I've found a few interesting points in regard to the use of energy drinks in relation to fermentation. Bad news first, potassium benzoate, the preservative found in the beverage i used is a fermentation retardant.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potassium_benzoate. the amount used in a 474 ml can of enegy drink seems to be minimal, based on the placement on the list of ingredients. companies don't seem to post precise amounts of particular ingredients, for proprietary reasons. I'm not sure of what effect the amount of P.B. diluted into a five gallon wash will be, but will definitely be keeping detaled notes, comparing ferment times and finishing gravity of previous washes with similar ingredients and amounts.
Next is more of a curious piece of anecdotal info. It seems that caffeine may actually extend the life of yeast.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18513215. Not sure what affect this will have on actively fermenting yeast. It's just a little blurb i found while researching the ingredients in energy drinks. Really sort of the last thing i expected to have any real effect on the wash.
"two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less travelled by...", bumps are okay, as long as i don't spill my drink

[Tuco]

I have used 5hour energy for its B vitamin content (8000% of daily value) I find that due to its tiny bottle size it doesn't add any flavor to my sugar washes, that being said daily vitamin pills are so much cheaper.

[Washashore]

I just bought 1 lb. of nutrient for $6.75, you only need 1/2 teaspoon per gallon. Definitely cheaper than energy drinks.

[Stella_98]

I always trust green drink as energy booster and weight loss. This is natural and nutritious alternative to costly and chemically made energy drinks.

[Brendan]

This sounds similar to the Berocca experiments that people were trying (due to vitamin B content), which I would imagine would be more successful. But I'm sure there's much more effective (and cheaper) ways to deliver the nutrients required.

[LWTCS]

This sounds similar to the Berocca experiments that people were trying (due to vitamin B content), which I would imagine would be more successful. But I'm sure there's much more effective (and cheaper) ways to deliver the nutrients required.

Fermax makes it go like crazy and is way cheaper