Sorry I have to ask this again

[sidebung]

I am getting some confusing answers so I will start over. I bought a Foster's lager clone kit and after I recieved it I realized that I can't ferment the usual way for a lager because everything is in my basement where it is a constant 66 degrees. The yeast that came with the kit is "White Labs Pilsner Lager WLP800" I also got a BrewVint yeast fuel capsule. I wanted to make the wart tommorrow and the only other yeast I have are 3 dry packs of yeast that comes under the lid of 3 or 4 pound cans of extract. (no name on the packs the packs just say YTB) Now my question is should I use the White labs lager yeast or toss that and make a yeast starter with the dry packs I have? And again if I use the White labs liquid and ferment at 66 degrees will the beer be worth drinking? And if I use the dry yeast should I use 1 or 2 packs . What about the yeast fuel? Thanks for being so patient with me I am new since January with this. (and loving it) lol

 

[Chris_Dog]

I can only answer 1 of your questions but it's a start...
You do want to make a starter for dry yeast.

 

[Brewpastor]

Use the White Labs, don't use the generic dry packets. Try to aerate as much as possible before pitching the yeast. Ferment at 66 call it a steam beer and it will be better then the YTB packets.

Everybody, all together now - RDWHAHB

 

[WortMonger]

I think they answered you pretty well in the other post, but my two cents, if 66*f is all you can do then the lager yeast will be more estery and fruitier. It will still work at 66*F but, I would try to get my fermentation down to temperature as best I could. You can use an frozen bottle water bath around your fermenter to get you to closer to under 60*F and just keep swapping out frozen bottles. The yeast that came with the extract kits are usually not very good, especially when compared to a liquid strain like you have in your possession. As for the yeast fuel, with proper aeration and pitching rate it isn't needed. You are doing a lager and they normally require a bigger starter due to the lower temperature and slower start. I would make a starter with the lager yeast, use the fuel, and get closer to 60*F on your ferment. You'd be surprised at what a wet towel wrapped around your fermenter will do for a little temperature drop. ice water bath is even better but more to watch for. It is up to you, but either way it will be good beer (worth drinking that is).

 

[sonetlumiere85]

I can only answer 1 of your questions but it's a start...
You do want to make a starter for dry yeast.

You mean rehydrate, right?

 

[Donasay]

You mean rehydrate, right?

No he means make a starter, they are different things.

I second the water bath: place your carboy in a large tub filled with water, a laundry tub or a large tupperware storage container work nicely. This will drop the temperature 5 to 10 degrees, every day go down and throw some ice in the tub or swap out icepacks or frozen bottles of water. The temperature will be in the 55 degree range, not exactly what you want, but much closer to the proper temperature.

 

[McKBrew]

I think there is some conflicting information here.

For dry yeast re-hydrate.

For liquid- make a starter. There will be some debate on whether a starter is needed for liquid yeast when the OG is below 1.050, but I do it everytime because it works for me.

 

[sonetlumiere85]

I think there is some conflicting information here.

For dry yeast re-hydrate.

For liquid- make a starter. There will be some debate on whether a starter is needed for liquid yeast when the OG is below 1.050, but I do it everytime because it works for me.

This is what I was trying to imply.

 

[niquejim]

I am getting some confusing answers so I will start over. I bought a Foster's lager clone kit and after I recieved it I realized that I can't ferment the usual way for a lager because everything is in my basement where it is a constant 66 degrees. The yeast that came with the kit is "White Labs Pilsner Lager WLP800" I also got a BrewVint yeast fuel capsule. I wanted to make the wart tommorrow and the only other yeast I have are 3 dry packs of yeast that comes under the lid of 3 or 4 pound cans of extract. (no name on the packs the packs just say YTB) Now my question is should I use the White labs lager yeast or toss that and make a yeast starter with the dry packs I have? And again if I use the White labs liquid and ferment at 66 degrees will the beer be worth drinking? And if I use the dry yeast should I use 1 or 2 packs . What about the yeast fuel? Thanks for being so patient with me I am new since January with this. (and loving it) lol

If you want to make a lager don't make it tomorrow. Make a starter and make it the next day off. A lager needs a large starter always. It is easy to keep your carboy or bucket cool if you put it in a tub of water and use ice blocks to keep the temp down.

If you're not wanting a lager dis-regard above statement.

Sorry either do it right or make ales.

 

[Ooompa Loompa]

I can only answer 1 of your questions but it's a start...
You do want to make a starter for dry yeast.

As others have already said I would not reccomend making a starter for dry yeast. Rehydrate, yes........starter, no.

 

[DeathBrewer]

i think he would want to make a "starter" for his dry yeast if he's afraid there are no longer any viable cells just to test it, of course...otherwise just rehydrate good dry yeast.

i would use the lager yeast and try to cool your fermentation as suggest, water bath with ice, or by other means. and yes, be sure to make a good starter, so don't brew until you have a good one going.

Even a steam beer shouldn't really be over 60*F...although 65*F would probably be find (depending on the yeast...not sure this one would be a good call.)