Hi,
I'm getting ready to use liquid yeast for the first time. I have a Belgian Trappist Ale kit, which I upgraded to include Wyeast 3787 (Trappist High Gravity). The kit says the OG should be 1.053.
The instructions say to activate the Wyeast 1-2 days before I brew. The Wyeast itself says to allow at least 3 hours at room temperature after I smack the pack. The Wyeast website says to refrigerate the yeast if I'm not using it right away. It's in the refrigerator right now.
So, 1-2 days before I brew, do I let the pack warm to room temperature, smack it, let it sit out for three hours or so to make sure the pack swells, put it back into the refrigerator until brew day, then take it out and give it a few hours to return to room temperature before I pitch it?
Which brings up my other question, how big a deal is it if I just pitch from the packet and don't create a starter? In my "How To Brew" book, it recommends 50-110 billion yeast cells for a wort gravity less than 1.055. The Wyeast packet claims to already contain 100 billion cells. Based on the instructions in my book, creating a starter sounds a little complicated, and I'm not sure if I'm ready to take that step yet. On the other hand, I obviously don't want to mess up my beer!
Thanks, as always, for the great help!
I'm getting ready to use liquid yeast for the first time. I have a Belgian Trappist Ale kit, which I upgraded to include Wyeast 3787 (Trappist High Gravity). The kit says the OG should be 1.053.
The instructions say to activate the Wyeast 1-2 days before I brew. The Wyeast itself says to allow at least 3 hours at room temperature after I smack the pack. The Wyeast website says to refrigerate the yeast if I'm not using it right away. It's in the refrigerator right now.
So, 1-2 days before I brew, do I let the pack warm to room temperature, smack it, let it sit out for three hours or so to make sure the pack swells, put it back into the refrigerator until brew day, then take it out and give it a few hours to return to room temperature before I pitch it?
Which brings up my other question, how big a deal is it if I just pitch from the packet and don't create a starter? In my "How To Brew" book, it recommends 50-110 billion yeast cells for a wort gravity less than 1.055. The Wyeast packet claims to already contain 100 billion cells. Based on the instructions in my book, creating a starter sounds a little complicated, and I'm not sure if I'm ready to take that step yet. On the other hand, I obviously don't want to mess up my beer!
Thanks, as always, for the great help!