How big of a starter for 55 gallon batch?

[ramloese]

Hi,

I'm brewing my first 55 gallon batch soon and I started to wonder of how big of a starter I'd need to make?

Multiplying up from my smaller batches and the advice from the White Labs' FAQ, I need 7 vials for that amount. However, what about the DME? Obviously this needs to be increased as well so the higher amount of yeast has more sugar to feed on, right?

I'm worried that my Erlenmyer is not big enough (2 liter).

 

[ramloese]

I'll be using WLP001

 

[stevehaun]

Your erlenmeyer is not big enough. Is your kettle 55 gallons or your batch size 55 gallons? I used to brew 30 gallon batches (BK was a 55 gal SS drum) and usually made a 5 gallon starter. You could use fewer vials if you step up the starter. You could make a starter in your erlenmeyer and then step it up to a 5 gallon carboy. Best to use a yeast starter calculator such as beersmith provides.

 

[day_trippr]

A 55 gallon batch will snicker at anything your puny 2 liter e-flask can produce.
Seriously, you'd actually be in the ballpark brewing a 5 gallon batch to produce the yeast for a 55 gallon batch.

Anyway, give this calculator a try, brought to you by the same folk that owns Home Brew Talk.
https://www.brewersfriend.com/yeast-pitch-rate-and-starter-calculator/
Plug in your pertinent info (batch size and gravity, for instance), pick a pitch rate, and see where it leads.

fwiw, I've done mere 10 gallon batches that required the use of a 5 liter e-flask...

Cheers!

 

[ramloese]

So BeerSmith tells me I need to make around a 5 gallons starter. Im thinking to use one of my old plastic fermenting buckets to cultivate my starter. My only concern is that it will be hard to stir such a container.

 

[Mer-man]

You do not need to stir. Just keep it warm and it will ferment out in a few days. And decant it before pitching

 

[day_trippr]

So BeerSmith tells me I need to make around a 5 gallons starter.[...]

Nailed it