slap pack question....

[cherrob123]

Do you need a yeast starter if you have slap pack?

I took an all grain class this weekend and the instructor emphasized the importance of a yeast starter and good temp control during fermentation.

He said a simple wort of DME, water and the yeast you are pitching should be sufficient if done 2-3 days prior to boiling.

I haven't used a starter in any of my previous batches and I haven't been truly happy with my results. The flavor is always a little thin and the hops are always overbearing.

So, if I end up with a slap pack, should I go ahead and give it a slap, let it swell up and then pitch into my starter?

Thanks for the help guys

 

[dbreienrk1]

Yes.

 

[Brewham]

The slap pack says it produces 100 billion cells. Run it through Mr Malty and you find you usually need 200 billion. Thus you need 2 packs or a starter.

I slap the pack and once it has swelled, pour it into a starter.

 

[kh54s10]

Slapping releases nutrient. It helps energize the yeast but does not increase the cell count significantly. You can pitch the pack in an average 5 gallon recipe and it will ferment OK. If you make a starter you are pitching the proper amount of yeast and they will be fermenting the yeast right away instead of expending energy propagating to numbers sufficient to ferment your wort.

If you want good beer pitch the pack. If you want better beer make a starter.

You will get some that will say that the pack is enough. Most agree that making a starter is best.

I saw a video by a Wyeast rep that recommended the starter. I do not recall where I found it.

 

[Grinder12000]

If you want good beer pitch the pack. If you want better beer make a starter.

+1.

 

[user 103238]

+++++++

For the extra pennies you spend on the DME for your starter, the results are phenomenal. I've done them for my last 3 batches and couldn't be more pleased. Now I can't see a reason not to make a starter.

 

[user 103238]

A starter turns this into this:

 

[Pezman1]

Yes, you CAN brew good beer with just the slap pack. People (including myself) have found they generally make better beer with a starter.

Temp control during fermentation is king. Try to keep you fermenter temp around 68 degrees for most ale yeasts. NOTE - fermenter temp, not room temp.

Simple yeast starter - 1/2 cup dme in 650 mls water 24 hours before you brew. No need to wait three days.

If you find your hop bitterness overbearing, simply use less at 60 minutes. Try using 3/4 of an oz instead of 1 0z.

Keep it simple and fun!

Pez.