Is it viable to use one WLP300 Hefeweizen package to make 2 starters?

[Aglam]

Hi everyone!

I'm thinking of brewing two 5 gallon batches of Hefeweizen and the problem is that liquid yeast is very expensive here in Mexico (about 15 dollars per package). To avoid buying two liquid yeast packages, I got the idea of simply making two yeast starters out of one package, but I would like to know if it is possible to do so, considering cell count and of course pitch rate.

I'm gonna brew both batches on the same week due to personal scheduling, so washing yeast is not an option.

Cheers!

 

[flars]

Yes, you can do it. Start with a one liter starter and step it up until you have double the yeast count needed for one brew. The second and possibly third step should be larger in size to achieve a growth rate of at least 1.0. The calculators will show the growth rate.

If you cold crash and decant the spent starter wort between steps, the volume of each starter will be less.
http://www.brewersfriend.com/yeast-pitch-rate-and-starter-calculator/
http://www.homebrewdad.com/yeast_calculator.php

This is also a technique to have fresh yeast on hand for the next brew. Make a starter larger than needed for the next brew. Save the excess, and use it later for another larger than needed starter, for the next brew. The saved yeast of the starter will never have under gone the stress of brewing a beer.
http://brulosophy.com/methods/yeast-harvesting/

 

[Mike_kever_kombi]

I just did this same thing a couple weeks back for 12 gallons using one vial of 300.

Just give yourself enough time to build it up before brew day.

 

[Aglam]

Thank you very much for your responses, I'll give it a try!