Starter Advice Needed

[Chicago1948]

I am planning to brew a Belgian Strong Ale from WLP550 next weekend. I have not yet made a starter. What would you recommend as far as starter volumes and steps before brew day. Should I start with a pint, then add a pint on Thursday or should I make it larger? Thanks.

Edit: Batch Size 6 Gallons, target original gravity 1.070, no stir plate, 1000ml flask (or 1/2 gallon milk jug)

 

[TotemWolf]

What is OG going to be? What size batch? How big of a starter can you make at once?

I would go with biggest starter you can make vs. stepping up many smaller ones.

 

[medusa1066]

This is pretty much the standard for calculating yeast pitching:

http://www.mrmalty.com/calc/calc.html

Give a man a starter, he will brew for a day. Teach a man to make a starter, he will brew for a lifetime. Respond if you still need help.

 

[lilwiggum]

Alot of good info here too: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f39/how-make-yeast-starter-pictorial-76101/

 

[shawnbou]

Definitely check out the Mr. Malty calculator, but 1.5-2.0 liters will probably be where you land. I made a 5-gallon batch of Belgian Strong Golden Ale a few months ago with OG 1.072 and pitched a 1.5-liter starter.

It's really not necessary to step up a starter for that gravity. 1 vial of yeast will take off just fine in your 1-2 liters of starter wort.

 

[dancness]

You said you don't have a stir plate. If you have the time, shake your starter intermittently. Maybe every hour or two if you can. This will provide oxygen which is helpful for healthy cell growth.

 

[asterix404]

You know though, I really hate Mr. Malty. I made a 90GP lager and it told me I needed 2.5g of starter. I pitched in 2 yeast packets and it took off like crazy. I make a 1qt starter with the ratio 2c water to 1/2c malt and I have never had a problem and my beer ferments very clean.