rewster451
Well-Known Member
It's been said, but starters are the way to go. Not only do they tell you that your yeast is alive, but they make your beer go bonkers right away. I did my Irish Red two days ago. We did a starter for it that was bubbling like mad when we pitched it. After we were done brewing I went to bed, and when I woke up there was a sticky looking hop residue on the top of the carboy, obviously from a krausen, but the krausen had already fallen. Inside the carboy bits of yeast and hop residue were swirling around in obvious currents due to convection. It was the most alive my beer has ever looked. It was psychedelic. It was awesome.
Use a starter.
Use a starter.