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Author Topic: Yeast questions from the noob.....  (Read 2057 times)

Offline oscarvan

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Yeast questions from the noob.....
« on: November 26, 2010, 12:19:10 pm »
OK, my first batch is fermenting, and on day 5 we still have bubbelage, albeit more sedate than before. So, I think the yeasties are doing their thing.

But, all I did was whack the pouch, let it sit at 75ยบ for three or four hours as it inflated to near explosive pressure, and pitch it. (I read the instructions..... ;D )

Now, all the pros are talking about starters. And stir tables and rinsing. I know some of that is propagation of strains, but some of it seems to be just prep for a brew batch of beer.

Would one of you learned gents (and oh by the way, where are the brew mistresses? ) take a second and whip out a primer paragraph on dry vs liquid vs pouches vs starters..... Help me figure out where in the spectrum I am, and where I could end up if this obsession continues on the exponential path it appears to be on?

Thanks.
« Last Edit: November 26, 2010, 12:21:18 pm by oscarvan »
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Offline denny

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Re: Yeast questions from the noob.....
« Reply #1 on: November 26, 2010, 12:39:38 pm »
Start with this....www.mrmalty.com.  It's about the nest yeast info around.
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Offline Kirk

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Re: Yeast questions from the noob.....
« Reply #2 on: November 26, 2010, 01:54:19 pm »
get a stir plate. make a starter every time.  It's hard to put too much yeast in, but it's easy to put too little.  My stir plate wasn't that expensive and it works like a champ. stirstarters.com
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Offline tubercle

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Re: Yeast questions from the noob.....
« Reply #3 on: November 26, 2010, 02:15:28 pm »
get a stir plate. make a starter every time.  It's hard to put too much yeast in, but it's easy to put too little.  My stir plate wasn't that expensive and it works like a champ. stirstarters.com

 Or sprinkle in a pack of dry yeast...
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Offline oscarvan

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Re: Yeast questions from the noob.....
« Reply #4 on: November 26, 2010, 03:11:17 pm »
Is the Tubercle saying in addition to the pouch?
Wooden Shoe Brew Works (not a commercial operation) Bethlehem, PA
http://www.woodenshoemusic.com/WSBW/WSBW_All_grain_Setup.html
I brew WITH style..... not necessarily TO style.....

Offline oscarvan

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Re: Yeast questions from the noob.....
« Reply #5 on: November 26, 2010, 03:14:39 pm »
Start with this....www.mrmalty.com.  It's about the nest yeast info around.

Much obliged...... Looks like all my questions are addressed there....... 8)
Wooden Shoe Brew Works (not a commercial operation) Bethlehem, PA
http://www.woodenshoemusic.com/WSBW/WSBW_All_grain_Setup.html
I brew WITH style..... not necessarily TO style.....

Offline tubercle

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Re: Yeast questions from the noob.....
« Reply #6 on: November 26, 2010, 03:33:45 pm »
Is the Tubercle saying in addition to the pouch?

 No. A pack of dry yeast provides very good results by itself. Although there are many more variations of liquid yeast and is more "flexible" the dry yeast can make many of the basic styles well. This applies to up to 6 gal and reasonable gravities. No need to hydrate (naysayers throw stones here) or make starters. Just sprinkle on the wort and close it up.

 Not sure of your experience or gravities of what you are trying to make but dry yeast is trouble free, inexpensive and performs well for what it does. I use it almost exclusively for what I make, but I don't get real crazy either.

  I agree with the rest. Using liquid yeast needs to go through the starter process and step it up if necessary depending on gravity/volume. I've used liquid yeast made many starters over time and they have done well, I just use dry when the situation calls for it.
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Offline oscarvan

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Re: Yeast questions from the noob.....
« Reply #7 on: November 26, 2010, 06:01:45 pm »
Roger all that. Stirstarter ordered.

Meanwhile, is the pouch with the food packet inside-whack-expand not a starter in itself?
Wooden Shoe Brew Works (not a commercial operation) Bethlehem, PA
http://www.woodenshoemusic.com/WSBW/WSBW_All_grain_Setup.html
I brew WITH style..... not necessarily TO style.....

Offline a10t2

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Re: Yeast questions from the noob.....
« Reply #8 on: November 26, 2010, 06:33:07 pm »
Meanwhile, is the pouch with the food packet inside-whack-expand not a starter in itself?

Technically, yes, but it's so small that it won't result in any significant reproduction. All it's there for is to provide a viability check, and get at least some of the yeast active before they go into the starter.
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