| Author |
Message |
    
brett matthews
Intermediate Member
Username: Brettj
Post Number: 396
Registered: 06-2004
Posted From: 122.107.213.13
| | Posted on Monday, October 03, 2011 - 08:57 am: | 
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I'm thinking of tackling a lager again with the (Southern Hemisphere) summer looming. If I pitch two Wyeast activator packs into a 4lt starter with and OG of 1.040-1.045 will it give me enough kick to get a 42lt ferment underway.
Apologies for the metric!!! |
Bill Pierce
Moderator
Username: Billpierce
Post Number: 13269
Registered: 01-2002
Posted From: 24.150.49.181
| | Posted on Monday, October 03, 2011 - 01:02 pm: |
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What is the O.G. of your lager? Assuming a 42 L (11.1 US gallons) batch size and O.G. of 1.045, the Mr. Malty calculator (http://www.mrmalty.com/calc/calc.html) calculates a 9.85 liter starter. That would be consistent with my experience.
I wouldn't bother buying two smack packs of yeast. I would step up one pack to 2.5 liters, and then once again to 10 liters. |
Ken Anderson
Senior Member
Username: Ken75
Post Number: 1924
Registered: 11-2002
Posted From: 76.189.235.103
| | Posted on Monday, October 03, 2011 - 02:20 pm: |
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Interesting that the calculator shows a stir plate alone to be more effective than constant aeration alone. Moot to me as I do both. |
Bill Pierce
Moderator
Username: Billpierce
Post Number: 13271
Registered: 01-2002
Posted From: 24.150.49.181
| | Posted on Monday, October 03, 2011 - 02:40 pm: |
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A stir plate is also performing some aeration as more of the starter comes in contact with the air. |
brett matthews
Intermediate Member
Username: Brettj
Post Number: 397
Registered: 06-2004
Posted From: 122.107.213.13
| | Posted on Monday, October 03, 2011 - 08:53 pm: |
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I'm thinking the OG would be in the mid to high 40's. I'll go with what you've suggested Bill. As a matter of interest, would 2 smack packs in a 4 litre starter give you enough of a yeast count for 40 odd litres of wort? |
Bill Pierce
Moderator
Username: Billpierce
Post Number: 13276
Registered: 01-2002
Posted From: 24.150.49.181
| | Posted on Monday, October 03, 2011 - 10:31 pm: |
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The short answer, Brett, is no. You would have roughly 40 percent of the population you would achieve by stepping one pack first to 2 liters and then to 10. As a thrifty homebrewer, I've never seen the advantage of buying two packs of yeast if they're still not a directly pitchable population. |
brett matthews
Intermediate Member
Username: Brettj
Post Number: 398
Registered: 06-2004
Posted From: 124.168.120.89
| | Posted on Monday, October 03, 2011 - 11:29 pm: |
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Thanks Bill, I'll put that idea to bed! |
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