Wed Sep 25, 2013 5:21 am
Use either
http://www.mrmalty.com or
http://www.yeastcalc.com to determine the size of your starter and the number of vials needed. I make my starters with a ration of 1 gram of DME to 10ml of water. So a 2 liter starter (2000ml) would require 200 grams of DME. Add a little yeast nutrient and some foam control (Fermcap-S) and put on a stir plate. If you don't have a stirplate, give the starter a shake frequently to help it along (like everytime you walk by it and then more so). Depending on the size of the starter, you can either pitch the whole thing (usually under a liter for me) or stick it in the fridge and crash, decant, and pitch the slurry (larger starter or lighter style beers).
Make sure when calculating the size of your starter, you specify if it is a lager, ale, or hybrid.
Good luck.
Sergeant, BN Army
R.I.P. Rat Pad ('05-'12)
Fermenter: Mayotoberfest
Kegged: Common, Cherry, & Apple Pie Ciders, Falconer Pale Ale, Strawberry Blonde
On Deck: German Pilsner, Chinookee Wookiee