Yeast question

[Reggiegentry123]

I'm going to brew a chocolate milk stout with an OG of 1.051 tomorrow and was going to pitch dry yeast because I don't have a starter prepped yet. My question is this- would one packet be sufficient? Or do I need 2?

I would actually prefer to use liquid yeast, but I wouldn't be able to make my starter until about 4 this afternoon. To brew tomorrow, this wouldn't give enough time to make an adequate starter would it?

Thanks!

 

[TheMadKing]

1 pack would be fine assuming you are making a 5 gallon batch, just re-hydrate it first

 

[BigMack]

1 packet will be fine. I also just use the smackpack/vial without a starter for brews under 1.060 and I haven't had any negative effects from "underpitching". I know some people on here will scream from the mountain tops about absolutely needing a starter for any liquid yeast, but I have found my way works for me.

 

[m00ps]

depends on how fresh/viable the liquid yeast is. If you do make a starter, it can only increase your cell count. Even if it doesnt ferment all the way out, youll still have more cells than the yeast packet alone. If you have a stirplate, it would definitely be ok. Only thing is you couldnt really decant it in that short of a time period. Youd need to pitch the whole starter volume

 

[Reggiegentry123]

If liquid without a starter would work I would probably go that route, I've been told that produces a better beer generally. Of course, I don't really know what people mean by "better", I have to assume better flavor is what they mean. Are there significant flavor differences between dry/liquid yeast?

Sorry about the noob questions but I'm fairly new to all of this.

 

[BigMack]

What liquid yeast are you considering using?

 

[Reggiegentry123]

depends on how fresh/viable the liquid yeast is. If you do make a starter, it can only increase your cell count. Even if it doesnt ferment all the way out, youll still have more cells than the yeast packet alone. If you have a stirplate, it would definitely be ok. Only thing is you couldnt really decant it in that short of a time period. Youd need to pitch the whole starter volume

I would be fine not decanting I think. I generally use light dme in my starter so I don't know how much flavor that would really add. Plus this will be a stout with some strong flavors so I would guess it would cover up any flavors that may come from the starter anyway.

 

[Reggiegentry123]

depends on how fresh/viable the liquid yeast is. If you do make a starter, it can only increase your cell count. Even if it doesnt ferment all the way out, youll still have more cells than the yeast packet alone. If you have a stirplate, it would definitely be ok. Only thing is you couldnt really decant it in that short of a time period. Youd need to pitch the whole starter volume

I would be fine not decanting I think. I generally use light dme in my starter so I don't know how much flavor that would really add. Plus this will be a stout with some strong flavors so I would guess it would cover up any flavors that may come from the starter anyway.

 

[Reggiegentry123]

What liquid yeast are you considering using?

The wyeast northwest ale.