To Starter Or Not To Starter

[thirstycajun56]

Alright folks I'm trying my hand at a lager for the first time. I'll be using White Labs San Francisco Lager Yeast WL810. The question is, do I need a yeast starter for liquid yeast, and if so how to go about doing that. Also, after initial fermentation, when temps are dropped for lagering should that be done in a secondary fermenter?

 

[W0GWT]

Alright folks I'm trying my hand at a lager for the first time. I'll be using White Labs San Francisco Lager Yeast WL810. The question is, do I need a yeast starter for liquid yeast, and if so how to go about doing that. Also, after initial fermentation, when temps are dropped for lagering should that be done in a secondary fermenter?

Yes, you need a starter. Ideally, a substantial one. There is a great thread on here (and an article, I think) that has pictures and everything.

 

[kh54s10]

Yes you should definitely be doing a starter for a lager. They require a lot more yeast than an ale. Any ale over 1.040 OG should get a starter.

I would secondary if you are going to lager for longer than a few of weeks.

 

[jdauria]

Beer and Wine Journal has a great chart showing the success rate of pitching only 1 vial of yeast based on gravity and volume. This does not even factor in that lagers need more yeast, but it gives you a visual that if 1 vial is going to hurt/slow fermentation, then it will hurt a lager even more...here's the chart: http://beerandwinejournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/NoStartChart.jpg

 

[rekoob]

Okay, yes you should be doing starters for your liquid yeast.

Now I can tell you that I have often pitched the vial right into the carboy. Not saying that was the smartest way to do it but saying I have done it and the beers turned out.

It's good practice to use a starter when using liquid yeast. As the yeast gets older the amount of viable yeast left that will get to work decreases. So to get the amount of viable yeast up to the amount you want for your beer you need to do a starter.

I won't get into how to do this, many threads on here or the internet on how to make a yeast starter. If you're just starting out and haven't thought about starters yet might be a good idea to do some reading and then make a stir plate, get the items you need and give it a go.

Can you pitch the vial into the beer sure... and it will most likely turn out just fine. is there a better way to do it? yes, make a starter.

Good luck.