muse435

Recipes 

I have an Wyeast Activator for my 5 gal. blonde. When i searched HBT all of the threads indicate the use of a starter. When i went to the official website they say you can pitch directly into the wort.

Do I need a starter or can i just pitch directly?

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MeatyPortion

Recipes 

Those smack packs are designed to be pitched directly. The activator pack is more or less to show that you have viable yeast. I usually smack mine about 4 hours before pitching but I've also just pitched it without doing so. Both times it turned out fine. Never used a starter with those either.

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CraigH78

Recipes 

You don't need to create a starter with them per say, however, I have seen fermentation activity much sooner having created one with it. I would say with < 1.040 OG beers you can get away with just pitching, I'd create a starter for anything bigger than that.

Rev2010

Recipes 

I'd probably say anything 1.060 or over should be done with a starter. I've done a number of brews from 1.046 - 1.052 without a starter with no problems whatsoever. Actually, I was rather surprised how quick and aggressive the fermentation usually is and at 66-68F.


Rev.

Homebrewtastic

Recipes 

I like to do a starter regardless. Unless I'm brewing a mild or something else under 1.042, I make a starter. You don't necessarily have to make one, and your beer will probably turn out just fine (unless you're making a bigger brew), but I'm a big believer in starters. Fermentation is typically stronger and healthier.

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muse435

Recipes 

Do you need to let the pack warm up to room temp before smacking it?

__________________
Primary - Oxi Clean
Secondary - Air
Kegged - Sexxy Blonde Ale, Beta (Sweet Apple) Cider
Bottled - BB American Amber, Midnight Ale (Oktober"fast"), Winter Storm IPA, Evil Pumpkin Pie Ale, Santa's Other Helper, Maxwell's (Craisin Orange) Mead, Newton's (Semi-Sweet) Mead, Alpha (Apple Cranberry Cider)

cms

Recipes 

Nope. Just take it from the fridge, burst the bubble, gently shake and swirl it a bit and leave it at room temp. It'll usually begin swelling within 30-45 minutes or so and by 3-4 hours, they get pretty plump.

muse435

Recipes 

Thank you for the quick response.

Bubble Broke brew day has begun

__________________
Primary - Oxi Clean
Secondary - Air
Kegged - Sexxy Blonde Ale, Beta (Sweet Apple) Cider
Bottled - BB American Amber, Midnight Ale (Oktober"fast"), Winter Storm IPA, Evil Pumpkin Pie Ale, Santa's Other Helper, Maxwell's (Craisin Orange) Mead, Newton's (Semi-Sweet) Mead, Alpha (Apple Cranberry Cider)