Oktoberfest starter

[MedicineMan]

I am new to lagers and I'm brewing an Oktoberfest pretty soon. I was wondering if a 2L starter with one vial of yeast (or do I need 2) with a stir plate would be enough. The OG should be 1.060-1.062,

 

[hungry4hops]

Im not really sure im on my first lager/octoberfest also I used wyeast2633 I did a 1L starter then stepped it up to a 2L I think it just started fermenting 24 hours after pitching

 

[Sulli]

You'll need two vials.

 

[chemman14]

I just made an oktoberfest using 2 packs and a 2l stirred starter. Saw visible fermentation signs the next morning

 

[NegativeChirality]

Use something like Wyeast Pitch Rate Calculator. You want 2 million cells per milliliter wort per degree plato for a lager like that--so something around 30 million cells / milliliter. Play with a few possible numbers on their calculator until you get close.

Edit: I calculated 24 million cells / ml from Wyeast's caclulator...which is "close enough" I would say. Wyeast also says that you can pitch lagers at a slightly higher temperature than their ideal fermentation temperature, and that reduces the recommended pitch rate.

 

[MaynardX]

Try to get as close as those calculators tell you to do. If your not sure, make more. Lagers like a large yeast pitch!

 

[aubiecat]

YeastCalc is a real good one.
I just brewed an Oktoberfest and did a step up starter. I can my wort so I started with an 800mL starter then stepped up to 1.6L.
It was rocking within 6 hours after pitching. Some people pitch as much as a gallon starter in their lagers but they are also starting fermentation between 47°f and 50°f.

 

[MedicineMan]

What temp do you start fermentation at?

 

[aubiecat]

I waited till fermentation began, starting at 60° I gradually took it down to 48° over 12-18 hours so would shock the yeast into hibernation. It is still sitting at 48° and chugging away. One thing I didn't mention is I also gave it a shot of pure oxygen for a bout 1 minute.
Next time I am going to make a bigger starter and pitch at 48.