[robertpreed]

Next week we will be brewing an IPA that has a pretty large OG of 1.072.  From looking at the Mr. Malty site, that means either a starter or 2.7 smack packs.   We did not use a starter on our first two much lower gravity ales and I have a question on the starter I would like to ask.

I have a 2L pyrex cone beaker that I was going to use for the starter.   I will be fermenting the wort at about 60-62 degrees and I was wondering should my starter be made at that same temp or at "room temp" (70-72 degrees)?    My guess is 60-62, but I wanted to ask the experts.

Thank you.

[dbarber]

You can ferment your starter at room temp.  The purpose of the starter is grow yeast, no need to ferment it at the same temperature as your batch of beer.

[davidgzach]

You can ferment your starter at room temp.  The purpose of the starter is grow yeast, no need to ferment it at the same temperature as your batch of beer.

+1.  Room temp.

[robertpreed]

Sweet guys, thank you very much.

[wildknight]

If you are going to settle the yeast and dump the residual wort/beer/liquid, then the temperature does not matter.  In fact, the warmer it is, the faster the yeast will grow.  However, it sounds like you are fermenting an ale really cold (60-62F), likely to suppress ester formation and make it very clean.  If you are going to dump the whole starter in without settling the yeast, then I would definitely make the starter at your ferment temp or even 1-2F cooler.  

[robertpreed]

Actually, what I planned on doing was make the yeast starter on a Wednesday/Thursday and brew on Saturday.

So, it sounds like if I plan on doing my starter earlier and give it time to settle and I decant the spent wort, then I can do at room temp.    If I plan on doing my starter later and want to pitch while it may still be active a bit, then I would want to do at or lower than my ferm temps......

[wildknight]

Sounds like you got it. 

[robertpreed]

Lots of great information on this forum!

Since the beer has such a high OG and I will be using the Wyeast Brewers Choice Yeast Nutrient for the first time, I expect a pretty big Krausen, so I will be using a blow-off tube for the first time too.........just in case!

[Pi]

Lots of great information on this forum!

Since the beer has such a high OG and I will be using the Wyeast Brewers Choice Yeast Nutrient for the first time, I expect a pretty big Krausen, so I will be using a blow-off tube for the first time too.........just in case!

If you use Fermcap you can lose the blowoff tube.

[krustybb]

I did a one liter starter last night with California ale yeast V. This morning I really don't seem to have any activity to speak of. How long before I try and start over.

[a10t2]

I did a one liter starter last night with California ale yeast V. This morning I really don't seem to have any activity to speak of. How long before I try and start over.

Take a gravity reading first. A small starter like that could have fermented out in a couple hours.