Has anyone used spent brewing yeast for fertilizer? I make hard cider, and I was wondering what to do with all the crud (dead/living yeast mostly) at the bottom of the barrel. Would this be a decent fertilizer for apples and/or pears? Would you use it wet (it would have some alcohol in it then) or dry it out first?
absolutely use it. the dead yeast provides a little organic matter and the live yeast will live on in your orchards. if a batch of cider gets "open pollinated" by wild yeasts, your chances of a good cider will be a little better if you have some of the proper yeast floating around. i always rinse my buckets with plenty of water to dilute the alcohol but i dont know if its necessary
Al Senner wrote:absolutely use it. the dead yeast provides a little organic matter and the live yeast will live on in your orchards. if a batch of cider gets "open pollinated" by wild yeasts, your chances of a good cider will be a little better if you have some of the proper yeast floating around. i always rinse my buckets with plenty of water to dilute the alcohol but i dont know if its necessary
So you use it wet then? How long after you remove it from the fermentor?
I'm also interested in using the 'dregs' of a brewery. I recently have contacted a brewery about getting their byproducts. I have to go get it, but if it's worth it I'd do it.
Any ideas for how to use them in any way?
I already have the chickens lined up for the spent grain.
William