2.5 Gal batch... do I need a starter?

[acgunter]

Hi all,

First post here. I am about to begin a 2.5 gallon batch, with estimated ABV being 6.4%. I will be using a packet of Safale s-04. Do I need to use a starter? I know that normally I would, due to the relatively high ABV, but since it's a half batch, can I get away without one?

Also, on a side note, is Safale S-04 a bad yeast for an IPA? I meant to order S-05, but I guess I got too excited and accidentally hit S-04.

 

[earwig]

You definitely do not need a starter. S-04 is pretty versatile, it will come out fine.

 

[Suthrncomfrt1884]

S-04 is typically used for english beers, so it will work great for an IPA. As for using a starter...no. There's never a need to do starters with dry yeast. Liquid yeast always needs a starter. You just need to make sure you rehydrate dry yeast...but no starter is needed.

 

[earwig]

S-04 is typically used for english beers, so it will work great for an IPA. As for using a starter...no. There's never a need to do starters with dry yeast. Liquid yeast always needs a starter. You just need to make sure you rehydrate dry yeast...but no starter is needed.

With a batch that size there's no reason to rehydrate the yeast, just dump it in and make sure the wort is aerated.

 

[acgunter]

Cool, thanks guys. Cheers.

 

[earwig]

Well I wouldn't just use it dry because you want it to float. If you throw liquid yeast in, as long as it's healthy it will work it's way into suspension. Did you aerate the wort the first time you pitched? When I use dry yeast in an average gravity brew, I throw it in, sit down with the fermenter on my lap and shake/rock it for 10 minutes. After this I put the airlock on and leave it alone.

 

[pompeiisneaks]

I used to rehydrate. I stopped a long time ago. Even on slightly bigger beers. I don't shake or tap it. I just open the packet and dump it in. It slowly absorbs the wort and is gone completely by the next day. Never had a problem. On a really big IIPA I just pitched two if I recall. It came out perfect. I mostly use liquid lately though. Boy though I sure miss the simplicity of dry.

 

[Suthrncomfrt1884]

I used to rehydrate. I stopped a long time ago. Even on slightly bigger beers. I don't shake or tap it. I just open the packet and dump it in. It slowly absorbs the wort and is gone completely by the next day. Never had a problem. On a really big IIPA I just pitched two if I recall. It came out perfect. I mostly use liquid lately though. Boy though I sure miss the simplicity of dry.

I'm the opposite. I started using liquid, but moved to dry when the quality improved because of the simplicity.

I always rehydrate because, why not? It takes 15 minutes while I'm cooling my beer, so it's not like I'm going out of my way to do it. If it even has a slight chance of improving my yeast and beer, I'll do it. With liquid, I hated having to make a starter 2 days prior to every brew day. I never know when I'm going to brew. I always plan on it...but things come up. I know I could put the starter in the fridge...but it's too much of a hassle.

 

[pompeiisneaks]

I'm the opposite. I started using liquid, but moved to dry when the quality improved because of the simplicity.

I always rehydrate because, why not? It takes 15 minutes while I'm cooling my beer, so it's not like I'm going out of my way to do it. If it even has a slight chance of improving my yeast and beer, I'll do it. With liquid, I hated having to make a starter 2 days prior to every brew day. I never know when I'm going to brew. I always plan on it...but things come up. I know I could put the starter in the fridge...but it's too much of a hassle.

I do more odd beers, Bavarian hefe, wit, dubbel, tripel, etc, so as far as I've seen there are no dry yeasts for those (I'm probably wrong). I just pitch the liquid yeasts unless I'm doing a big beer or a lager.

 

[earwig]

I used to rehydrate. I stopped a long time ago. Even on slightly bigger beers. I don't shake or tap it. I just open the packet and dump it in. It slowly absorbs the wort and is gone completely by the next day. Never had a problem. On a really big IIPA I just pitched two if I recall. It came out perfect. I mostly use liquid lately though. Boy though I sure miss the simplicity of dry.

I shake the fermenter to aerate, not so the yeast gets mixed in sometimes I shake first then pitch, but the top is so tight on my fermenter that lately I just pitch first, then shake.