Liquid Yeast input

[bavarianbrewmaster1]

Hey all,

I just want to see what you all think/do when it comes to liquid yeast. When I make a batch I only use 1 package of liquid yeast. Would it be more beneficial to use 2 packages in a batch? I recently thought about sticking to using 1 package but using some yeast nutrient with it as well. What do you think?

[skookumchuck]

Use one and make a starter everytime.

[PPDude72]

+1. I always make a starter with liquid yeast.

[Legman]

Your response is going to be "make a starter", hands down.
You could use more than one pack or vial of yeast, but in the long run, you'll be wasting your money.

[AverageJoe]

Here's a related question. I've been saving portions of my yeast starters in cleaned/sanitized plastic pop bottles in my fridge. How many generations can I use from these? And I'm assuming I'd need to pitch these into a starter before wort... Right?

[skrot]

It depends on your OG. To get a good idea of how much to pitch with or without a starter use this calculator:

http://www.mrmalty.com/calc/calc.html

There is nothing wrong with pitching 2 packages if it's the appropriate amount and you want to trade off time vs. money.

For some styles, consider dry yeast if convenience is a big issue. It can be!

[HalenRush]

Always make a starter.....

Ok, I'll be the oddball out. Unless you were making a low OG beer and have really fresh yeast.

[a10t2]

Here's a related question. I've been saving portions of my yeast starters in cleaned/sanitized plastic pop bottles in my fridge. How many generations can I use from these? And I'm assuming I'd need to pitch these into a starter before wort... Right?

Forever, basically. Assuming all they ever see is <1.040 starter wort, the yeast should be good for a long long time. And yes, you'll need to build back up to the right number of cells using a starter.

[dormroombrewer]

Here's a related question. I've been saving portions of my yeast starters in cleaned/sanitized plastic pop bottles in my fridge. How many generations can I use from these? And I'm assuming I'd need to pitch these into a starter before wort... Right?

Forever, basically. Assuming all they ever see is <1.040 starter wort, the yeast should be good for a long long time. And yes, you'll need to build back up to the right number of cells using a starter.

I agree. I have a marathon-run of US-05 going

[Padraic]

I use mostly Wyeast - if you use Activator smack packs for ales you only need one pack, pitched directly into standard strength wort (up to 1.060), no starter necessary, attenuation as shown on their website. Higher gravity or colder ferm temps then higher pitching rate needed.

[joehastime1]

I mainly use Wyeast, too. I've very good luck using the Activator on Ales as is, but typically, I'll go ahead and make the starter. I enjoy that as part of the process and like the added insurance. There have been times, though, when the schedule just is what it is, I don't get the started made and I jump right in. I try and smack the pack the night before, but have done so as late as brew day. Fermentation usually starts with 24 hrs when I smack late and I don't notice anything bad in the beer. I will also say that I've just started brewing lagers and on those two batches I absolutely made a starter because of the lower starting temps. Anyway, that's my process and it seems to work for me.

[a10t2]

I use mostly Wyeast - if you use Activator smack packs for ales you only need one pack, pitched directly into standard strength wort (up to 1.060), no starter necessary,

While you can get away with that, maybe even indefinitely, there's really only yeast in the pack to pitch the recommended amount for a 1.030 ale at most.

[Padraic]

I use mostly Wyeast - if you use Activator smack packs for ales you only need one pack, pitched directly into standard strength wort (up to 1.060), no starter necessary,

While you can get away with that, maybe even indefinitely, there's really only yeast in the pack to pitch the recommended amount for a 1.030 ale at most.

I have to disagree. I say that because one pack (Activator) without starter works consistently with gravities well over 1.030 at ale ferm temps. The exception would be if the yeast is getting older. Looking at the attenuation for a particular strain you can predict the FG and my experience is that one fresh pack will bring the FG in on target.
The directions on the Wyeast website say pitch directly. It has worked consistently for me - I wouldn't call that getting away with anything, it's an expectation.

[blatz]

making beer and making the best beer possible are two different things

[Padraic]

making beer and making the best beer possible are two different things

Absolutely. And different brewers can make great beer using different methods.