So I brewed an Octoberfest on Sunday. I pitched a 2L starter at high krausen (48 hours after pitching Wyeast smack pack). Pitched at 55F, which is as cold as I could get my wort on tap water. The starter was at 68F. Immediately placed fermenter in cold closet at 50F.
It's now been 48 hours with no activity. I wouldn't be concerned if the starter wasn't exploding out of the airlock with activity. Should I be concerned at this point... its the first time I've pitched a lager at fermentation temps instead of 70F. Is this slow start just reflective of pitching at the lower temp? Also, what the real benefit of pitching "cold" vs. at 70F? Less actetyl/fusal alcohols I would assume?
Anyway... I need some moral support here... tell me this is normal!!
It's now been 48 hours with no activity. I wouldn't be concerned if the starter wasn't exploding out of the airlock with activity. Should I be concerned at this point... its the first time I've pitched a lager at fermentation temps instead of 70F. Is this slow start just reflective of pitching at the lower temp? Also, what the real benefit of pitching "cold" vs. at 70F? Less actetyl/fusal alcohols I would assume?
Anyway... I need some moral support here... tell me this is normal!!