How many yeast packages for high gravity beer?

[Eric Wann]

I am brewing an imperial stout this weekend. The recipe tells me that the OG should be around 1.082. I bought 2 packages of Wyeast 1028 London Ale because the back states that more yeast is needed for beers with an OG over 1.060.

My question is, should I just dump both packages in the wort in their entirety?

Thanks!

 

[Sammy86]

I am brewing an imperial stout this weekend. The recipe tells me that the OG should be around 1.082. I bought 2 packages of Wyeast 1028 London Ale because the back states that more yeast is needed for beers with an OG over 1.060.

My question is, should I just dump both packages in the wort in their entirety?

Thanks!

According to Beersmith you would need 4 packs in order to get the correct amount needed...unless you're going to make a starter I would say you definitely should add both.

 

[Tobor_8thMan]

Save some $$ and simply make a starter.

 

[Eric Wann]

Save some $$ and simply make a starter.

To answer sammy, I wasn't planning to make a starter, so I'll for sure use both.

Tobor, ill look up how to make one.

Thanks all!

 

[Tobor_8thMan]

I can quickly tell you using BS. What is the yeast packaging date? What is fermentation amount (in gallons)?

 

[Eric Wann]

I can quickly tell you using BS. What is the yeast packaging date? What is fermentation amount (in gallons)?

2 yeast packages, one says best by June 2021, the other best by may 2021.

5 gallon batch

 

[Sammy86]

Per the AHA Forum, second post

Wyeast Best if Used by Date

 

[Eric Wann]

Per the AHA Forum, second post

Wyeast Best if Used by Date

Copy that. Both packages will be used this sat. So not too much loss

 

[Tobor_8thMan]

Rule of thumb is best buy date - 6 months = production date.

Therefore, BeerSmith recommends 5 packs of yeast or a 1.64L starter needed (with stir plate).

 

[h22lude]

Wyeast switched from production date to best by date recently. The rule of thumb that best by is 6 months from production isn't correct. From Wyeast - " This date guarantees our products for a minimum of 6 months." A few months ago I bought some Wyeast online. The best by date was 4/14/21 which would mean a production date of 10/14/20, using the 6 month rule. However my order shipped from the home brew shop on 10/12/20 which would mean the packaged date of the yeast was more than 6 months, or they packaged the yeast while it was on the FedEx truck. My guess as to why Wyeast changed date formats, so they could sell yeast that is now older than 6 months...which makes it harder to guesstimate viability.

For the OP, I'd suggest using 1m/ml/p pitch rate for a high gravity beer like that. So for 5 gallons of 1.082 beer, you'd need about 375B cells, which is close to half of what you have. If you can, make a 2.5L starter with both packages. That will give you plenty of cells. If you can't make a starter, I'd highly recommend getting more packs or you will be under pitching. Even for a normal gravity beer, 2 packs are barely enough.

 

[deuc224]

Starters are super simple. Weigh DME, add water, boil, cool, add yeast. I know a lot of people are against it but get a stir plate and a decent scale. Ive multiplied many a many of packets of yeast in my day. Only one to date that didnt was the one I ordered from AIH, shot them a email and they sent out 2 more that same day. They will have my business forever and im grateful they had such good customer service cuz it seems like in todays climate its getting harder to find.

 

[Eric Wann]

Thanks everyone! I will make the starter, this is all great info.

 

[bwible]

The other option I always tell people is to brew a lower gravity beer of a similar style first and then brew the high gravity beer and pitch it directly onto the yeast cake from the lower gravity beer. You’re brewing imperial stout, so you could do an Irish stout or a porter first. 1028 is great for all the dark beers. Also gets more than 1 use out of your yeast.

 

[odie]

I do RIS with one pack of US-05. No problems hitting 14%. I've harvested and re-used HG yeast cakes with no problems either. Your results might vary.

 

[h22lude]

The other option I always tell people is to brew a lower gravity beer of a similar style first and then brew the high gravity beer and pitch it directly onto the yeast cake from the lower gravity beer. You’re brewing imperial stout, so you could do an Irish stout or a porter first. 1028 is great for all the dark beers. Also gets more than 1 use out of your yeast.

Basically just making a drinkable starter.

 

[Bobo1898]

I do RIS with one pack of US-05. No problems hitting 14%. I've harvested and re-used HG yeast cakes with no problems either. Your results might vary.

Yep was going to say, if you can't do a starter (or don't have time to make it) with the liquid yeast, then use an equivalent dry yeast. More yeast, less cost when properly rehydrated. I do a RIS that uses two US-05. And most recently, I did a bigger version of that where I made a starter with both packets.