First Starter and First Lager

IrregularPulse said:

Making an Octoberfest this weekend or next. I only ordered 1 vial of yeast not really thinking because I've never done a starter or a lager before.

6G batch at 1.059 Simple Shaking method
Mr. Malty says I need 2.4G Starter!! Is this right? I can take it down to 1G with 2 vials of yeast it says.
I have a pound of DME on hand.
I was planning on using a 1/2G growler for my starter but now am thinking that won't work for a 2.5G starter!!

Advice? I could make a 1/2G starter, let it go a few days, then always decant and pitch that onto another 1/2G of starter wort. But it seems like it's a slow yeast so it maybe quite a while between making the starter and doing anything with it.

Will I be ok just making a 1G starter with my 1 vial of liquid yeast and letting that go 3-4 days, then decant and pitch? I'm planning on lagering over 6 months....

Oh, and I'm assuming the starter needs fermented at the same temp as the beer would. low 50's for the lager strain? Or does the starter need the whole lagering process as well?

Click to expand...

YooperBrew said:

You can ferment the starter at a warmer temperature. After all, you're reproducing yeast, not making beer. I like to ferment my lager starters close to 60 degrees, since it's convenient for me.

Lagers DO need a big starter. If you start now, you have time to get one going. You can do what you suggested- make a small starter and keep stepping it up. That will work well. Or, if you have a 3 gallon carboy or container, you could make it in that.

For lagers, I like to chill the starter after fermentation and then decant the spent wort. I also find that bringing the wort to 50 degrees and the yeast to 48 degrees (after taking it out of the fridge) gives a nice headstart to the lager and makes a nice smooth lager. You may not even need a diacetyl rest if you pitch enough yeast at fermentation temperature, but it won't hurt to do one anyway.

Click to expand...

IrregularPulse said:

My yeast won't be here for a few days. Order should be shipping from brew masters warehouse today. It's usually a 2-3 day shipment. so Thursday or Friday. I guess I'll hold off on brewing this weekend and try planing the following one. That will give me a week to step this thing up. I have 1G carboys. I'll have to find something larger to go to from there. Good to know the temps can be "normal" so I can just ferment the starter at least in the basement instead of kickin' on the fridge for a small jug

Now when it says "2.4G starter" it doesn't mean 2.4G of actual slurry does it? That is the slurry AND wort it's considering?

Click to expand...

IrregularPulse said:

My yeast won't be here for a few days. Order should be shipping from brew masters warehouse today. It's usually a 2-3 day shipment. so Thursday or Friday. I guess I'll hold off on brewing this weekend and try planing the following one. That will give me a week to step this thing up. I have 1G carboys. I'll have to find something larger to go to from there. Good to know the temps can be "normal" so I can just ferment the starter at least in the basement instead of kickin' on the fridge for a small jug

Now when it says "2.4G starter" it doesn't mean 2.4G of actual slurry does it? That is the slurry AND wort it's considering?

Click to expand...