Underpitched?!?

[Jay1199]

So I'm new to brewing only 2 batches in. I like big beers so that's what I'm trying to brew. I did a black ipa at 1.090 did a 500 ml starter of WL San Diego super yeast 090. I know I souls have probably made a bigger starter, but will this get the job done or should I pitch another vial? Thanks in advance.

 

[Sardoman]

It might get the job done, but another vial would get the job done much better.

 

[kh54s10]

It will ferment. The question is whether there will be any off flavors created while the yeast struggle to propagate to appropriate numbers to do the fermentation.

It is generally considered that underpitching will usually make good beer. Pitching the proper amount of yeast should make better beer.

Mrmalty.com has a lot of information on proper pitch rates.

 

[Piratwolf]

So I'm new to brewing only 2 batches in. I like big beers so that's what I'm trying to brew. I did a black ipa at 1.090 did a 500 ml starter of WL San Diego super yeast 090. I know I souls have probably made a bigger starter, but will this get the job done or should I pitch another vial? Thanks in advance.

If you haven't pitched yet, I'd definitely pitch the 2nd. Sounds like you probably have, though, in which case I personally would hold off. The reproduction phase is early (likely passed already) so any stress-induced flavors would likely be present and you're just tossing in an unnecessary $8 at that point.

On the plus side, I expect your small starter will have helped more than no starter and with a strong, hoppy beer you've got a lot going to hide any yeast-derived flavor flaws!

 

[HopDr]

You might be ok with a 500 ml starter- did you use a stir plate? I am doing an almost identical beer (IIPA with OG 1.085, WLP090) this weekend and mrmalty and BeerSmith say my starter should be 560 ml. But that is with a stir plate, without it it says it should be about 2L.

Either way leave it and it will be fine, it'll attenuate and taste good if you did everything else well.

 

[Jay1199]

I did not use a stir plate but did shake the starter pretty much every time I was able. I had already pitched the starter. When I check it this morning it looked like it was going strong lots of activity so hopefully it will be ok. Thanks guys.