I had said on the last show that White Labs was shipping vials with 30 to 50 billion cells. They've increased that amount to 70 to 120 billion cells, depending on the yeast strain. That is great news!

I've updated the information on my site to reflect this, but wanted to mention it here for anyone listening to the archives.

I will still be making starters.

that is good news though.

brendan/ionia_ales

Yes, you still need to make starters. To help figure out the proper pitching rates and starter amounts, I created a pitching rate calculator on my website:

http://www.mrmalty.com

That calculator is absolutely brilliant, Jamil. Great resource. Thanks!

Phil

It makes the time spent really worthwhile when someone lets you know it was useful. Thanks!

Jamil,

I love the pitching calculator. I have been posting links to it all over the place.

Travis

So I've seen. Thank you brother!

Jamil et al...

You mentioned being concerned about Star san residue in your kegs affecting our head retention.

Why not just drain and dry the kegs upside-down? Pasteur proved that microbes cannot migrate UP without assistance, and assuming your area is wind-free, this should be enough protection to prevent contaminants. Besides, the beer should have enough alcohol to hamper other microbial growth anyway, no?