lager pitching rates

Should I make a starter for a 5 gal 1.060 og lager? Or can one wyeast smack pack hold up?

Make a starter, especially with a lager because of the slower fermentation rate. Most of us make a starter with ANY smack pack. It's good insurance and gets your brew off to a really good start. They're also kind of fun.

With a lager, I'd make a 1 gal. starter, especially if it's 1.060.

try the calculator http://www.mrmalty.com/calc/calc.html

..For some reason starters have always intimidated me a bit. Dont no why...I have been brewing awhile. But something about not knowing if you messed up the yeast in some subtle way before pitching freaks me out....

You'll get to the point where you'll never do a liquid yeast without a starter. It makes that much of a difference.

hmm. Well i guess i should go for it then. I have made some very tasty brews (all ales) some as high as 1.076 og, with one wyeast smack pack...no starter. But I just checked out Mr Malty for the first time and it is suggesting even for my high gravity ales I needed over 2 wyeast packs for one brew or make starters. And for a high gravity lager its saying I need 450 billion yeasties! And If I didn't use a starter..5 wyeast packs! It is even saying with making a starter I should start with two packs! Is this really true? Seems like a lot.. Or can I start from one pack and build it up to a good pitching lvl?

Damn Mr. Malty for his realistic thinking. He is ruining my dreams of a starterless brewing career!