Alternative to stir plate for growing yeast starters??

[bub]

The temp depends on who you ask... the purist of the pure say propigate at fermentation temp (especially lagers) but as this tends to take quite a bit longer most say it is fine to prop at room temp (72).
No need for the hops.
BUB

[Mr. Big]

As I sit and listen to Deacon Blues from Steely Dan, I ponder the question of aeration. Yeast only reproduce during aerobic respiration (absorb oxygen), and produce alcohol only during anaerobic respiration. If one has a healthy yeast starter that is a liter of paste to pitch, does one really need to oxygenate the wort? (The Ipod is now on One Way Out by Allmann brothers, time for a sip of dry stout). I have always oxygenated, and probably always will, especially since the beers I have been making are pretty good to my taste. Now onto The Late John Garfield Blues by John Prine, and time to rinse the glass and have a koelsch.

[Kaiser]

If one has a healthy yeast starter that is a liter of paste to pitch, does one really need to oxygenate the wort?

Yes, this is true. But some yeast growth is desirable for the flavor of the final beer.

Kai