Oktoberfest yeast question

[ejaraujo]

hello, I just purchased the Northern Brewer Oktoberfest Extract Kit w/ Specialty Grains. It recommends to also use a yeast starter, which I also purchased. My question is….. The kit already comes with yeast, so do I add that in too or do I just use the yeast starter. The yeast that came with the kit is dry yeast and the yeast I purchased for the yeast starter is a liquid yeast Wyeast #2633 Octoberfest Lager Blend.

 

[rilshoc]

Use one or the other, but won't need both. Make a starter with the liquid yeast per instructions a couple days prior to brewing, decant then pitch that when your wort has cooled. Save the dry yeast for back up should fermentation fail, or another batch later on.

 

[thegreatmaibockaddict]

It is a lager, so a healthy active yeast will give you the cleanest final product. The yeast starter allows the yeast population to grow so that the fermentation can take off more quickly and produce a cleaner brew.

I would not even consider using the dry yeast

 

[ejaraujo]

Thanks so much. Looks like I will just use the yeast starter!

 

[Pie_Man]

To calculate the proper size starter, use either yeastcalculator.com or mrmalty.com. As others mentioned, you just need one strain of yeast.

 

[flars]

Lagers will need at least twice the number of yeast cells than an ale. More than double if it is a high gravity lager.

 

[surffisher2a]

What do you mean by you purchased a yeast starter? I am not aware of anyone that sells a completed yeast starter. Did you purchase the yeast starter kit? (which is the equipment to make your own starter)

I am assuming you bought liquid yeast. That liquid yeast is not a starter, its used to make your own starter. That small vial of yeast is not a starter.

you might already know that, but I just wanted to make sure you weren't confused about what you got.