Starter specifics

b767fo · Jul 14, 2007

I am trying my first lager ( my temp controller just arrived from more beer; 2 days after ordering - ca to nh - not bad!) and am in somewhat of a quandary. Palmer suggests pitching the starter at a temp near the lager ferment temp, Snyder says room temp, and the guy at the lhbs says don't even bother because the vial of WLP 820 has enough yeast to pitch straight into the wort. Any thoughts? Thanks!

homebrewer_99 · Jul 14, 2007

If it's a vial...make a starter. Besides, making a starter a couple of days prior to brewing ALWAYS saves you time, frustration, and disappointment.

Some people pitch cold, some room temp (me...). The point is the wort and yeast should be about the same temp because there is less shock to the yeast.

b767fo · Jul 15, 2007

Thanks for the info. I am doing the starter in the fridge ( 55 deg F) to see how it works. So far ( ~ 24 hrs) it is slowly building a krausen, pretty much as I expected. I'll give it a few more days and then do the brew.

homebrewer_99 · Jul 15, 2007

Depending on your schedule, you should actually be brewing now since the starter is kreusening (very active).

Xiren · Jul 15, 2007

I got a vial of WLP029 and on their website they said I would not need a starter if the gravity was 1.070 and higher or if it is past the expiration date. Since I will be making a Kolsch, will I need to make a starter as well?

RichBrewer · Jul 15, 2007

Both of the big liquid yeast manufactures say there is enough yeast in their packs for a 5 gallon batch but I say make a starter. For one thing you will confirm that the yeast is viable. For a second, you will decrease the lag time before fermentation starts. :mug:

Xiren · Jul 15, 2007

I went to White Labs site, they say make a 1-2 pint 1.040 gravity wort. How much LME would I need to do that?
Thank you in advance.

Starter specifics

Help Support Homebrew Talk - Beer, Wine, Mead, & Cider Brewing Discussion Forum:

b767fo

Well-Known Member

homebrewer_99

Well-Known Member

b767fo

Well-Known Member

homebrewer_99

Well-Known Member

Xiren

Well-Known Member

RichBrewer

Supporting Member

Xiren

Well-Known Member

Similar threads

Latest posts

Starter specifics

Help Support Homebrew Talk - Beer, Wine, Mead, & Cider Brewing Discussion Forum:

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Supporting Member

Well-Known Member

Similar threads

Join the conversation!

Join today and get all the highlights of this community direct to your inbox. It's FREE!