[oscarvan]

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 75º for three or four hours as it inflated to near explosive pressure, and pitch it. (I read the instructions..... )

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.

[denny]

Start with this....www.mrmalty.com.  It's about the nest yeast info around.

[Kirk]

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

[tubercle]

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...

[oscarvan]

Is the Tubercle saying in addition to the pouch?

[oscarvan]

Start with this....www.mrmalty.com.  It's about the nest yeast info around.

Much obliged...... Looks like all my questions are addressed there.......

[tubercle]

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.

[oscarvan]

Roger all that. Stirstarter ordered.

Meanwhile, is the pouch with the food packet inside-whack-expand not a starter in itself?

[a10t2]

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.