One gallon batch yeast question

[lonebutcherbrewing]

Hello all, I have recently went from doing 5 and 7 gallon batches to trying my hand at some one gallon experiments. I was wondering if using a liquid yeast pack from either wyeast or white labs would be too much yeast for the batch size and would I be over-pitching?

Thanx in advance

 

[ESBrewer]

You will get a beer, but you are probably overpitching and may lose some esters and character. I would scale down according to volume.

 

[lonebutcherbrewing]

This is what I figured but wanted some other opinions on the matter. Thanks. Any suggestions on how to scale down? Just pitch a portion of the smack pack or is there a better way to portion?

 

[C-Rider]

Aren't smack packs more expensive that dry yeast? I make 2 gallon batches in 2 gal paint buckets from HD and just through in one dry pack. I guess you have a much better selection of yeast if you go smack packs.

 

[lonebutcherbrewing]

Aren't smack packs more expensive that dry yeast? I make 2 gallon batches in 2 gal paint buckets from HD and just through in one dry pack. I guess you have a much better selection of yeast if you go smack packs.

Yes much better selection with the smack packs and yes they are about double or triple the price. Plus with the dry yeast those are made for five gallon batches so pitching a whole packet is over pitching and essentially wasting for my little one gallon batch so I save most of the packet after I pitch.

 

[Sadu]

Smack packs aren't really economical for small batches where I live. But you can make a starter with the smack pack, pitch what you need, keep the rest in a jar in the fridge for next time. Or if you are repitching yeast from a previous batch, as I do, then it only takes 2-4 tablespoons of slurry per gallon. This is a pretty good way to roll.

 

[lonebutcherbrewing]

Smack packs aren't really economical for small batches where I live. But you can make a starter with the smack pack, pitch what you need, keep the rest in a jar in the fridge for next time. Or if you are repitching yeast from a previous batch, as I do, then it only takes 2-4 tablespoons of slurry per gallon. This is a pretty good way to roll.

That’s a great idea. I will definitely try this. Thanx!

 

[Northern_Brewer]

Also keep an eye out for places selling off out-of-date liquid yeasts - depends how old, but they can be a nice amount for a 1 gallon batch, and can be a cheap way of getting new strains into your library. I've just picked up a half-price Conan that way.

Same also applies to some of the weirder dry yeasts - you're unlikely to find out-of-date US-05, but I've picked up a number of lager and Belgian yeasts that were out of date.