YEAST STARTER FOR MARZEN

[HoundboundCo]

Wanted to get y’all’s opinion on this yeast starter I scaled for my Märzen recipe. With an estimated 1.056 OG, my recipe calls for 415.4 Billion cells needed. I calculated that with a 1.6 L starter using 2 packs of WLP820, I will estimate approximately 425 billion cells. Is adding two packs of yeast a good plan for a 1.6L starter to get these numbers where I need them?

 

[FunkedOut]

http://www.brewunited.com/yeast_calculator.php
I’ve always used this calculator and I’m happy with the results.

I would suggest 1 pack of 150B cells, with a 1.8L starter of 1.040 SG.
Should yield 421B cells if you start with a fresh pack.

That same calculator and your numbers indicate you have a 5.3gal batch.
If that is way off, let’s go another round!

 

[jdauria]

Agree with FunkedOut...with one caveat...numbers are based on a fresh pack of yeast...the older it is, the less yeast it will be. I use Brewers Friend Yeast Calculator with the Brukaiser stir plate method. 1.8L 1.040 starter with that predicts 418B, if yeast was packaged today. But if the yeast is a month old, that drops to 387B cells. However, yeast calculators viability rates are just estimates. If you were to use a White Labs new PurePitch 1.5B packs, they are not losing 21% viability in just one month as Brewers Friend is telling me, more like 5%.

 

[dmtaylor]

WLP820 is not my favorite yeast. I would use any OTHER yeast for my Marzen. Look for the freshest yeast you can, use just one pack, and make a starter. Or use one pack of dry yeast such as S-189 or Diamond or W-34/70, then no starter is needed, and no need to worry about expiration since dry yeast lasts for many years even after "expiration".

 

[HoundboundCo]

http://www.brewunited.com/yeast_calculator.php
I’ve always used this calculator and I’m happy with the results.

I would suggest 1 pack of 150B cells, with a 1.8L starter of 1.040 SG.
Should yield 421B cells if you start with a fresh pack.

That same calculator and your numbers indicate you have a 5.3gal batch.
If that is way off, let’s go another round!

Sounds like a good idea, and yup, 5.3 gallon with my Clawhammer system.