Another underpitching post

[Tall_Yotie]

Howdy all.

1.087 OG beer, I did a 3.5L starter and decanted it after 18 hours. Unfortunately, the yeast that was on the bottom of the flask seemed to be only about twice what I had originally.

As I am needing a strong fermentation (getting it down to 1.012 for the Westvleteren 12 Pious clone), and thus letting it ramp up to a high temperature, should I go ahead and pitch in another liquid vial of the yeast tomorrow, or should it be fine and go for the whole "RDWHAHB"?

Thanks for any help!

 

[kuphish]

Is this for a 5 gallon batch? The Mr. Malty pitching rate calculator says that you'd need a 2 liter starter with 2 vials to have the proper cell count, if you are using a simple starter. Given that, I'd be tempted to pitch another vial of yeast. Even if you don't, the beer should probably turn out fine.

Regarding decanting - did you cold crash the starter, or did you decant it warm? If you decanted it warm, you most likely dumped a fair amount of yeast.

 

[Tall_Yotie]

It was still somewhat warm, and yes it was a 5 gallon. I figure during lunch I will run out to the LHBS and get another vial to throw in there.