I have ingredients to brew 2 different beers with 3 yeast options. One beer is going to be an experiment all grain batch using cherry juice, cacao nibs, and an array of malts to create a chocolate cherry bomb stout that will be by Christmas batch this year. I planned to use 1945 NB NeoBritannia, which I have a slurry of. I also have a simple Northern Brewer Dry Irish Stout extract batch to brew on a day when I don't have as much time.
Here's my problem; I have the 1945 slurry that was rinsed several times and is very clean yeast, but due to the long time since it was last used, the viability is too low for my Christmas batch that should be at about 1.060 OG, per Mr. Malty. I need to make a starter for it in order to use it. I had intended on using a pack of S-04 for the Dry Stout, but now I'm wondering if I should use the 1945 and build it up for my Christmas batch? When I review sites about descriptions of the yeast differences, I think I can pull off the 1945 for a Dry Stout if I keep the temps low during fermentation. I shouldn't have to make a starter for the 1945 with the weaker stout, saving me time later when I repitch it for the bigger beer.
My 3rd option is I'll be bottling a blonde that used S-05 very soon. There will be plenty of yeast there for either beer, but I'm thinking it is too clean for either batch.
So, what are your thoughts? What's my best option for the Dry Stout with those 3 yeast options.
Thanks for the help with this and all my questions over the last couple years.