Starter Issue

[NFryan]

So I am brewing 11 gal of heffe in about 36 hours. I have 2 - vials of WLP-300. I was all set to make a starter but realized I only have 2 oz of DME left. So my dilemma is:

1. Should I boil up 4 cups of water and throw in the 2oz of DME. Split it up between the 2 vials and give the yeast a "little" head start?

or
2. Not bother with the weak starter. Pitch the vials without the starter and under pitch?

Im fermenting around 68 degrees and am going for a big banana flavor.


Any suggestions would be appreciated


Thanks!

 

[AnonyBrew]

It's underpitching either way, but I think it wouldn't matter between the two so go for the simplest and just pitch both straight up. Not ideal, but shouldn't be a big deal on a hefe. WLP300 is a beast.

 

[NFryan]

It's underpitching either way, but I think it wouldn't matter between the two so go for the simplest and just pitch both straight up. Not ideal, but shouldn't be a big deal on a hefe. WLP300 is a beast.

Thanks for the advice.. My OG is only going to be 1.048. I was hoping I would be ok.

 

[906_brewer]

Underpitching should increase esters, in this case more banans! IIRC there are posts about doing this on purpose with hefes- I would pitch the vials without any worries.

 

[CastleHollow]

What's the production date of the yeast? If you have a stir plate, you could conceivably double the viable yeast count using one of the vials in a 600ml starter (2oz DME would give you 1.035 wort.) As Soperbrew points out, you'd still be under pitching but it would get you closer.

 

[NFryan]

What's the production date of the yeast? If you have a stir plate, you could conceivably double the viable yeast count using one of the vials in a 600ml starter (2oz DME would give you 1.035 wort.) As Soperbrew points out, you'd still be under pitching but it would get you closer.

Got ya. I don't currently have a stir plate so I think I just going to pitch 1 vial in each of the 5.5 gal pails.

Thanks for the help!