I'm planning to brew the Dogfish Head 120 min IPA clone from the Homebrew Chef website on April 18th. 3 gallon batch
http://www.homebrewchef.com/120minuteIPArecipe.html
I have been brewing all grain for the last 4 yrs and have about 50 batches under my belt but this is my first big beer brew. I usually brew pale ales and IPAs that start in the 1.050-1.060 range and only in the last year or so have been using yeast starters.
I have the yeast cake of 1056 sitting in secondary right now from 3 gal batches of a Mirror Pond clone and an IPA of my own creation. This yeast was fresh back in October from a 3 gal batch of the same Mirror Pond clone. I washed it and it sat in the back of my fridge until 3 weeks ago when I revived it. For the 120 clone I'm planning on a starter with either light or amber DME first at 1.070 and move then to one about 1.100 prior to pitching.
Here are my questions:
1. Should I use this yeast, get a fresh pack of 1056, or both? If I reuse the yeast I would need to wash and store it again for a few weeks.
2. Is it a good idea to use two starters of increasing gravity or should I start at 1.050 and do three steps?
3. Does it matter which DME I use?
4. How long before brew day should I start the starter? One week enough or should I do longer?
5. I've seen some threads and recipes mention White Labs super high gravity yeast. Would this be a good investment and how should I incorporate this into the recipe/fermentation?
Thanks
http://www.homebrewchef.com/120minuteIPArecipe.html
I have been brewing all grain for the last 4 yrs and have about 50 batches under my belt but this is my first big beer brew. I usually brew pale ales and IPAs that start in the 1.050-1.060 range and only in the last year or so have been using yeast starters.
I have the yeast cake of 1056 sitting in secondary right now from 3 gal batches of a Mirror Pond clone and an IPA of my own creation. This yeast was fresh back in October from a 3 gal batch of the same Mirror Pond clone. I washed it and it sat in the back of my fridge until 3 weeks ago when I revived it. For the 120 clone I'm planning on a starter with either light or amber DME first at 1.070 and move then to one about 1.100 prior to pitching.
Here are my questions:
1. Should I use this yeast, get a fresh pack of 1056, or both? If I reuse the yeast I would need to wash and store it again for a few weeks.
2. Is it a good idea to use two starters of increasing gravity or should I start at 1.050 and do three steps?
3. Does it matter which DME I use?
4. How long before brew day should I start the starter? One week enough or should I do longer?
5. I've seen some threads and recipes mention White Labs super high gravity yeast. Would this be a good investment and how should I incorporate this into the recipe/fermentation?
Thanks