Starter for Kolsch extract kit

Yeast & Fermentation
1

I am going to be brewing an extract kolsch tommorow evening. I bought a yeast starter kit a few weeks ago, but haven’t used it yet. I have never made one. My question is: is it too late to make a starter today that I’m going to pitch tommorow? Or is it even necessary to make one? I am using the Wyeast Kolsch yeast.

Thanks

2

With Kölsch being such a light style, I’d say it’s too late to make a starter. If it was a stout or an IPA, you could probably get away with pitching the full starter, but I wouldn’t chance it here.

I also wouldn’t under-pitch a Kölsch. You don’t necessarily need to get up to lager pitching rates, but one smack pack in 5 gal isn’t going to cut it.