Temps for a starter for a lager

Yeast & Fermentation
1

When making a yeast starter for a lager, is it important to make the starter at the same temperature of the primary fermentation (54F), or can the starter develop at ale temperature, or room temperature?

2

You can safely make your lager yeast starter at room temperature. I used to wonder the same thing. But the yeast experts out there say it makes no difference. You are trying to grow and multiply your yeast. You are not really making beer when you make a starter. Not to worry… Once it’s time to pitch your starter into the actual lager wort in the 40s or 50s, your yeast will still know what to do. Based on experience, I now know this to be true.

3

Hep. Just be sure you decant the spent wort from it.

4
http://www.brew-wineforum.com/viewtopic ... 08&t=59851

Bryan believes that a better product is attained with a cold starter ferment.

I have not done side by sides to know the difference. In the past I’ve done the warm starter.

5

Yeast will happily reproduce at temperatures warmer than what makes good beer.

6

Palmer suggests starting warm and then acclimating the yeast to cooler temps as you build it up, starting at 60F and reducing by 5 degrees over two wort additions. By the end of three to five days one should have built up yeast three times while reducing the temps to 50F.

I don’t really have at kind of control yet, but I can probably approximate in my basement and then the fridge.

Thanks for the suggestions.

7

[quote=“Mike Foran”]Palmer suggests starting warm and then acclimating the yeast to cooler temps as you build it up, starting at 60F and reducing by 5 degrees over two wort additions. By the end of three to five days one should have built up yeast three times while reducing the temps to 50F.

I don’t really have at kind of control yet, but I can probably approximate in my basement and then the fridge.

Thanks for the suggestions.[/quote]

I’ve tried all the methods mentioned here and I’ve found it just doesn’t matter. I do it at room twmp now because I get great results and it’s easy.

8

[quote=“Denny”]
I’ve tried all the methods mentioned here and I’ve found it just doesn’t matter. I do it at room twmp now because I get great results and it’s easy.[/quote]

Good to know; that will save me some hassle.