[Steve L]

Hi all. I think this is a question asked time and again but I need some opinions. I am brewing tomorrow, an American amber 1.056, in a 2.5 gallon batch. My WLP001 cal ale vial is dated July 3rd so a production date of March 3rd. The calculators have me at about 80% viability so I'm about 19 billion cells under optimum. My Feeling is to just pitch the vial cause even a .5 liter starter gets me to 145 billion cells. I guess I could just pitch the yeast into a 1.036 .5 liter starter in the morning while I'm brewing and let it sit on the stirplate for 4-6 hours and wake them cells up.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Stevo

[kramerog]

It seems your target is 145 billion and you estimate 126 billion.  In yeast terms these numbers are pretty close.  Do a direct pitch.

[ynotbrusum]

Over 1.050, I like to do a starter when not repitching a slurry.  You can go with no starter or start your starter tomorrow early and don't use the stir plate - then pitch the whole starter slurry at high krausen of the starter...just a thought.

[gmac]

Pitch

[Steve L]

I think I am indeed leaning towards the direct pitch. After doing a bit more reading I'm thinking that a direct pitch may result in a slower lag time but it may help increase body and produce more fruity esters, hopefully pleasant ones. Also If what I'm reading is correct, it makes for healthier yeast if I plan to harvest, which I am planning to do.

Thanks to everybody for the response!!!

Stevo

[Steve L]

Funny happenstance, I ended up missing my OG by a little, got 1.052 instead of 1.056 and only collected 2.3 gallons of wort into the fermenter so I only underpitched by 5 billion.

[klickitat jim]

5 billion is about 5% of a fresh tube/smack pack. If that is enough to significantly chabge your beer, your senses are way better than mine.

[ynotbrusum]

5 billion is about 5% of a fresh tube/smack pack. If that is enough to significantly chabge your beer, your senses are way better than mine.

Which is a given for me!  Your beer will be fine.

[klickitat jim]

Now see, I cant taste the difference between Tinseth and Rager,  but I dont think I could pick out a 2% under pitch