Starter Substitute

[NorCal]

Would it be sufficient to use say 2 vials of White Lab California WLP001 yeast in lieu of making/using a starter? I ask becuase I may have time this evening to make a Pliny Clone, but haven't made a starter.

thanks in advance for your thoughts.

 

[NorCal]

Would it be sufficient to use say 2 vials of White Lab California WLP001 yeast in lieu of making/using a starter? I ask becuase I may have time this evening to make a Pliny Clone, but haven't made a starter.

thanks in advance for your thoughts.

 

[Lost Pirate]

You should be fine. Personally I've never made a starter when using a vial of White Labs and have always had good fermentation within 24hrs.

 

[iamjonsharp]

Do you have dry yeast or access to get dry yeast? Pitching a couple packs of S-05 may be a better route to go (and much more inexpensive).

 

[TexLaw]

After some of the things I've seen on this board, and after talking to some other brewers, I am coming over to the dry yeast camp for certain strains. I agree with pitching a couple packs of S-05, if you are going to use California I.


TL

 

[DeathBrewer]

2 vials will work fine...just kind of hard on the wallet.

how big is the beer? 1 vial might work fine by itself.

 

[Kayos]

I would rather use dry yeast for that. If you cannot get any, pitch directly from the tube. Faster, better fermentation with starter, but will work without it.

 

[AZWyatt]

You'll be fine using only one vial without a starter, dude. It might take a few more hours, but it will end up fine. With two vials it would be highly recommended to attach a blowoff tube.

 

[Beerrific]

Take a look at: http://www.mrmalty.com/calc/calc.html
It gives the option to move the slider over to the left and use more vials. Well, that doesn't help too much since it still says you should make a starter with two. I think for a Pliny clone (OG ~1.075) you should definitely use two vials or save the cash and use dry. (I think you would really need 3 vials to be pitching the correct amount into this beer, assuming 100% viability).

 

[ScubaSteve]

Pliny is a huge beer. I had mixed results with a single vial, but I imagine you'll be fine with 2 vials. Do it! (Don't forget a blowoff!)

 

[Beerrific]

This thread seems to have double posted: http://homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=41047

Might want to merge...

 

[Yooper]

This thread seems to have double posted: http://homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=41047

Might want to merge...

Good idea!

 

[NorCal]

Thanks for all your input. I really appreciate it. So, sounds like 2 vials would work, but that dry yeast would be a good alternate. Of course, a starter would be ideal - god I'm really bad at planning ahead.

 

[the_bird]

I'm going to second (or third) the recommendation for two packets of US-05. It's a great, clean, high attenuation yeast that will be perfect for this style. You could probably get by with a single pack, but for an extra $1.50 use two (you won't be overpitching).

I really can't see using liquid yeast on a beer like this; from my experience, as well as that of lots and lots of other brewers around here, the US-05 is just as good a yeast as the Cali Ale yeast. Save the liquids for when you really need the yeast to add a particular character (hefes, Belgians), not when you just need clean fermentation.

 

[davefleck]

not to hyjack the thread but i'm learning a lesson here today... Did an Irish Red but only used one of the white labs california ale yeast. It was my first pitching liquid yeast and i didn't make a starter... Pitched early Saturday, noticed it bubbleing on monday morn. Since then, it's been very constant but only tossing a bubble every 8 seconds or so. In the past i noticed much faster bubbeling... Is it just going to take longer to ferment? Next time i'll do a starter.

now with the 1 vile vs 2 discussion... what is gained aside from time fermenting? I'd think the yeast would keep reproducing as long as there is food for it.