So I'm about to purchase the Dale's Pale Ale extract recipe on Austin Homebrew Supply website and they have the double pitching option (for another $6.99, btw) selected as default. They are recommending double pitching for beers with a starting gravity over 1.060. First, they don't have the recipe starting gravity listed, so one could assume that the starting gravity for this recipe is over 1.060. Second, do you guys recommend buying double yeast? FYI it is the White Labs California Ale V WLP051
Double pitch Dale's Pale Ale?
- Thread starter Iron_Clad
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I would think Dale's Pale Ale OG is just barely over 1.060, although I've never made a clone of it.
Instead of double-pitching, I would personally make a yeast-starter. It'll save you about $7 for that extra vial of yeast. Or, you could just switch to a dry yeast like US-05 which typically have much more yeast per vial/packet.
Instead of double-pitching, I would personally make a yeast-starter. It'll save you about $7 for that extra vial of yeast. Or, you could just switch to a dry yeast like US-05 which typically have much more yeast per vial/packet.
madbird1977
Well-Known Member
You can also do a yeast starter....that should give you the same results as double pitching. For bigger beers you want more yeasties. 
raptorkeeper89
Well-Known Member
I was just on AHS today looking at some extract kits. You just beat me to the point an posted this question. Great minds think a like I guess! It seems like almost every extract kit they sold they were pushing the 2nd yeast packet to ensure a good fermentation for the beer. I would like to do a starter but i have only brewed once so my equipment is limited. Is pitching double yeast just as effective as a starter?
You'll more-or-less achieve the same thing by double pitching as with a yeast starter. Buuuut, yeast starters are easy peasy, especially for beers that aren't huge (like imperial stouts, DIPAs, etc.). All you need is a little DME and a small container - flasks are common, but really anything will work (growlers, milk jugs, whatever).
Honestly, AHS is just trying to sell an unnecessary vial of yeast - can't really blame them.
See this thread for a good reference / encouragement: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f163/my-first-yeast-start-success-285532/
raptorkeeper89
Well-Known Member
Is there any cost difference between using DME to make a starter vs buying double yeast?
Well, if you buy 1 lb of DME (for about $4), that is enough to make about eight yeast starters. That is versus extra yeast (about $7) for one batch.
cimirie
Well-Known Member
raptorkeeper89 said:
3 lbs DME at my LHBS is about $10. IIRC, a typical starter for 5 gallons calls for ~3 oz DME. Cost savings is huge.
madbird1977
Well-Known Member
I use 1 cup DME for 1000 ml water in a flask...works great.
raptorkeeper89
Well-Known Member
Ok good to know. Sadly I don't have a LHBS very close, an hour away is my closest. So it's hard to do instant price comparisons
Just add a 3lb bag of DME to your cart when you buy the kit. It'll pay dividends.
kyleobie
Well-Known Member
The DME I use for starters goes a long way. More than pays for itself with the savings from yeast.
When you get to doing starters get a scale. Weighing amounts is much more accurate than volume. The amount in a given volume can change depending on how densely packed the ingredient is. Then go metric. 1 gram dme for 10 ml starter. So for a 1 liter starter you need 100 grams of dme. For a 2 liter starter, 200 grams.
Make a stirplate. That is easy also and you can make smaller starters.
Check out mrmalty.com and YeastCalc Yeast Calculator for information and calculating amounts of yeast for a given OG.
Make a stirplate. That is easy also and you can make smaller starters.
Check out mrmalty.com and YeastCalc Yeast Calculator for information and calculating amounts of yeast for a given OG.
raptorkeeper89
Well-Known Member
Does is matter what DME you buy? Will it add to the flavor profile of the beer you add the starter to?
cimirie
Well-Known Member
raptorkeeper89 said:
I wouldn't buy dark DME, but other than that, it shouldn't matter. The volume typically isn't enough to change the flavor profile. Most people let the yeast fall out of suspension and decant off most of the starter beer anyways so it's even less of an issue.
ZamaMan
Well-Known Member
That's actually awesome that they reccomend two vials. One vial isnt even enough to pitch proper levels for a 1.050. When you use mr malty pitch rate calculator you can find the exact amount of starter to make.
I pay 2$ per lb of dme cause I buy by the 50lb bag
I pay 2$ per lb of dme cause I buy by the 50lb bag
cimirie
Well-Known Member
ZamaMan said:
how do you keep 50lb of DME dry for prolonged storage? I can't keep it from clumping and absorbing moisture from a 3 LB bag.
If you have the fridge/freezer space, split it into 1gal ziplock bags and freeze it.
