Need a yeast starter?

[Meatball358]

I just recently ordered my first extract kit and have been doing alot of research about how to go about this the right way. I have come across numerous threads concerning yeast starters. I was wondering if a starter is necessary with an extract kit and if so how do i go about making it?


The kit includes:

6 pounds of light liquid malt extract
12 ounces of specialty grains
3 ounces of hop pellets
White Labs Liquid Yeast
Muslin hop and grain bags
Priming sugar

 

[CouchFarmer]

You'll be fine without one on this beer. Just make sure that it's been out at room temperature for at least an hour or two (or just set it out when you start brewing) before you pitch.

I almost always do one with liquid yeast, mostly to force myself to make time for brewing sooner than later.

 

[Meatball358]

thanks I appreciate it... by the time i switch to AG i will be more educated on the subject

 

[Lefty]

Many people start brewing without a starter. I know I did. Extract or AG will both benefit from a starter with liquid yeast. If you were going with dry yeast, a start is not recommended. With extract and no starter, you will make good beer. With starter and controlled fermentation temps, you will make great beer. It only gets better from here.

 

[Revvy]

If you are using liquid yeast you should make a starter....whether you are brewing AG or extract. Since you are beginning this hobby, then why don't you start off on the right foot, by adopting good brewing practices?

For one thing by making a starter, you will know that your yeast is healthy, AND you would also know that you have produced enough viable yeast to ferment...and that you will have reduced the lag time, so it would more than likely take off under the 72 hours that fermentation sometimes takes to begin...And the more viable yeast cells you have when you pitch, the less stressed the yeast will be and the better your first batch will taste.

Seems to me doinf it the RIGHT way would be a good step towards not having newbitus and worrying that something has gone wrong...If you look at the "Is my beer ruined?" Or "my fermentation hasn't begun yet" threads you will see often, besides the posters being nervous first time brewers, that they pitched a tube or used a smack pack without a starter...and that is why the beer has had such a long lag time.

You have enough awareness from reading here that you should be using a starter with liquid yeast. So why do you hesitate to do it? Becasue you are impatient and don't want to delay your brewing a day or two? Well if you don't make one, more than likely you will be delaying the yeasts in doing thier job of fermenting your beer by a day or two....A day or two where more than likely you will be stressing out, and then probably start a "something is wrong" thread...which we will then tell you that had you made a starter, you would have known that your yeast is viable.

A big part of successful brewing is developing your process as a brewer. How you move from grain to glass..... Because honestly it's not about the ingredients you use, the gear you use, or the methodolgy (all grain or extract) that determines whether it is a good or bad beer (I have tasted great extract and crappy all grain and vice versus).

It is the brewer and their process that makes great tasting beer.

So I would start off on the right foot from the beginning...make a starter, use your hydromter, all the stuff we talk about here. Do it right from the beginning. ANd you will be one step further down the line towards mastery in the hobby...

Like lefty said, the difference between good and FANTASTIC beer...comes down to what you do.....

 

[KUbrew]

+1 on what Revvy said. I know it can be a little intimidating taking on extra steps for your first brew but I think it's a great idea. It's a 20 minute process that can give your beer a great start. I didn't start making starters until my 6th or 7th batch, I don't know why I waited so long. I never had any problems directly pitching liquid yeast, but with a starter, my beer always gets fermenting much faster, within a few hours. And I'm guessing if you're like the rest of us, you'll be waiting and watching your air lock with anticipation for those first bubbles.

 

[Schnitzengiggle]

Mr Malty will have all the info on proper starter procedures. Good Luck!

 

[Meatball358]

wow...thanks to all for their responses...especially Revvy.. you were right on the money with me feeling impatient and wanting to just cut corners and I hadnt even realized it until you said it...Kudos on that man, very insightful lol... ill be sure to keep anyone who is interested posted on my first brew...cheers

 

[Meatball358]

ok well after some more research (and a closer look a the kit i bought) I realized that i will be using LME (any yeast starter instructions ive come across are for DME)...Is it ok to use LME to make a yeast starter? if so how do i know how much of the included 6 pounds of LME to use?

 

[Yooper]

ok well after some more research (and a closer look a the kit i bought) I realized that i will be using LME (any yeast starter instructions ive come across are for DME)...Is it ok to use LME to make a yeast starter? if so how do i know how much of the included 6 pounds of LME to use?

Well, I'm mathematically challenged, but I'll take a stab at this! I use 1/2 cup DME per pint of water. So, that would be about 2/3 cup LME to equal 1/2 cup DME.