mudhen5

Recipes 

I plan on brewing Sunday, a Rogue Dead Guy Ale Clone. I'm using Wyeast Northwest Activator yeast. When should I make the starter? How will I know it's ready to pitch?

Thanks

MalFet

Recipes 

There are lots of good guides to making a starter on the forums, and the MrMalty calculator will tell you how big of a starter you need. But for a big lager like a dead guy clone, you will most definitely need a starter.

Edit: Mr. Malty also has a good guide to making starters.

bschoenb

Recipes 

Unless using dry; I always make a starter (but then I use only Whitelabs rather than Wyeast ~ Personal preference w/the tubes rather than the smackpack)

__________________
~ BIAB : All Grain Made Easy ; Mash, Sparge, Boil all in the same Kettle ~ all you need is a bag and a hook!

strat_thru_marshall

Recipes 

If you're brewing Sunday (tomorrow), stop whatever you're doing and make your starter right now. It will be ready to pitch by the time you finish brewing tomorrow.

stellaontap

Recipes 

I usually make a starter 4 days before brew day. In my last 2 batches i collect an extra 2 liters of wort to use as a starter for my next batch. It works really well for me and have noticed a decrease in lag time versus using DME to make a starter.

Eric

johnnybob

Recipes 

It usually takes 18-24 hrs on a stir plate for a 2 Liter starter.