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**Old-Ned** · 08-15-2012, 08:01 PM

I plan on brewing an Imperial Stout this Saturday that should start at 1.112 (70% efficiency) or 1.08 (the more likely 50% efficiency). Tomorrow (Thursday) I'll be getting my smack pack of Wyeast 1056 and plan on doing a 1.5-2L starter.

Is this enough time, and will there be enough yeast to pitch on Saturday? Or should I order more yeast/make the starter earlier next week and hold off on the brew?

kh54s10 · 08-15-2012, 08:19 PM

Using mrmalty.com and assuming fairly fresh yeast you will need a starter of about 2.5 liters using 1 pack.

Yeastcalc.com gives info for making a step starter although starting one on Thursday evening and getting it ready for Saturday would be difficult.

I usually do a step for 12-18 hours chill for 24 or so then decant the liquid for the next step. So I would take 3 days or more.

**Old-Ned** · 08-15-2012, 08:57 PM

Yeah, I just under pitched a Red and regretted it. I'm torn between what I should do and what I want to do.

I guess I was hoping there some magical way to step up my starter in a day or so. haha

duboman · 08-15-2012, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old-Ned

I plan on brewing an Imperial Stout this Saturday that should start at 1.112 (70% efficiency) or 1.08 (the more likely 50% efficiency). Tomorrow (Thursday) I'll be getting my smack pack of Wyeast 1056 and plan on doing a 1.5-2L starter.

Is this enough time, and will there be enough yeast to pitch on Saturday? Or should I order more yeast/make the starter earlier next week and hold off on the brew?

I'm mobile right now so can't go to the site but I think you will new a bigger starter than 1.5-2L

Go to yeastcalc.com and plug in the numbers. This site will allow you to calculated stepped starters. My guess is you will need to brew later

inhousebrew · 08-15-2012, 11:07 PM

by getting your pack do you mean at the store or in the mail. If you're at the store just buy two. If not, wait to brew or underpitch and hope for the best.

**Old-Ned** · 08-15-2012, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inhousebrew

by getting your pack do you mean at the store or in the mail. If you're at the store just buy two. If not, wait to brew or underpitch and hope for the best.

Yeah, in the mail. No local store here.

**Old-Ned** · 08-15-2012, 11:43 PM

OK. If I were able to get my hands on another pack or two...would you get a few packs and just pitch or make the stater on Friday. This would also be my first starter, so I'm clueless. Thanks!

BrewIndy · 08-16-2012, 01:21 AM

Mr Malty says you would need 4 or 3 packs based on the two OG's you originally gave.

**chumpsteak** · 08-16-2012, 01:25 AM

I'd throw 4 liquid packs in a beer that big or 3 dry packs. Just get the US05 if you get more yeast and rehydrate and pitch. Same thing as 1056 at a fraction of the cost. Whatever you do, don't underpitch that beer. If you do you might get lucky and just underattenuate, but you will most likely end up with paint thinner.

kh54s10 · 08-16-2012, 01:35 AM

Do you have any other ingredients available to brew a smaller gravity beer?

If not I would put off brew day until you can do a proper starter or spend the big bucks to pitch multiple packs.

Without a stirplate to properly ferment the starter would take a couple of days.

But then again I have a plenty big pipeline so I am not in any big hurry to brew.