starter help

[jheist]

I've been looking through starter threads and think this is a unique situation I need some help on.

I was given 3 White Labs 515 yeast vials for the price of one because two of them expired on January 8th 2010 and one will expire on Feb 14th 2010. I was planning on making a starter anyways.

Not really sure how to use Mr. Malty in this situation. I gave it a shot and it thinks the two january vials are only 10% viable and the feb is 22% viable. Not really sure how to calculate the size of my starter with it now. I was originally planning on making a 2L starter.

My OG is supposed to be 1.055. Brewing 5.5 gallons. I am planning on brewing Sunday so I can make the starter tonight and decant later if needed.

Let me know what you guys think! Thanks

 

[rwinzing]

For a OG beer of 1.055 a 2L starter will be fine. I have used expired white labs with simular OG and used a 1L starter and it came out great

 

[rcrabb22]

I don't have a ton of experience with starters but if it were me I would use the worst viability number for the all the vials. I am also assuming you have a stir plate.

I would pitch all 3 in a 1L liter starter and let it go for 24 hours, then decant and step it up by making a 2L starter for another 36 hours.

 

[jheist]

Thanks for the advice guys! I'm sure it will turn out fine.