starter or no starter?

[wdburns1]

Hey guys, I'm about to brew a tripel, I will be pitching Wyeast 1214. The very helpful guys at the homebrew store didn't say anything about making a starter, but I've read a few things that recommend it for bigger beers such as this. I'm about to start my brew, I'm not sure if I can make myself wait another day or two for a yeast starter, what do you guys recommend?

 

[duboman]

I always recommend a starter using liquid yeast for any beer over 1.040 OG

Visit www.yeastcalc.com or www.mrmalty.com to see the starter size needed

 

[timrox1212]

I use a starter for every beer I make 5%+. So basically every beer. Only takes about 30 mins but you need to start it 2-3 days before brew day.

 

[DoWBrewer]

I always do a starter unless I use dry yeast. I feel like it is insurance that the yeast is active and healthy. For a big beer, you should either do a starter or pitch multiple smack packs or vials of yeast to get a proper pitch rate.

 

[PGEduardo]

Calculate how many cells you need and if you can't wait then buy more vials. Or drink substandard beer. There are an infinite number of shortcuts you can take - each will likely result in incrementally less than great beer...

 

[wdburns1]

I believe I will go ahead and make a starter. I would rather take an extra couple of days than spend the next several weeks wishing I would have. Thanks guys

 

[PraetorBen]

I just brewed a tripel and I started with a 1200 ml starter (WLP515), stepped it up to 2500 ml, and then up to a 3500 ml starter. I feel like a starter or 400-450 billions cells is a must for a tripel.

 

[PraetorBen]

I just brewed a tripel and I started with a 1200 ml starter (WLP515), stepped it up to 2500 ml, and then up to a 3500 ml starter. I feel like a starter or 400-450 billions cells is a must for a tripel.

Adding to this; the tripel was at 1093 and is down to 1015 after 5 days fermentation. WLP515 is probably not the ideal tripel yeast but I wanted to try it out.

 

[wdburns1]

How do you guys "step up" a starter

 

[ArcLight]

>>How do you guys "step up" a starter

Make a 1 liter starter, put it in the fridge, decant the spent beer, and use the slurry in a 2 liter starter.
The idea is to grow your yeast in steps.

 

[kh54s10]

Yeastcalc.com has plenty of information on making step starters.

 

[wdburns1]

Thanks, I'm off to the homebrew shop for yeast and light DME. Is it possible to keep some yeast from a starter for use later on?

 

[ArcLight]

>. Is it possible to keep some yeast from a starter for use later on?

Yes. I do this all the time, and it's easier and more sanitary than washing yeast.