[richardt]

A Munich Helles is being planned in the near future.

I smacked a Wyeast 2206 smack pack 4 days ago and I'm not noticing much swelling, if any.

I can't detect a pack within when I press around -- could it be that the inner pack didn't get included?

It is about a year old (but kept at constant 36 F in the fridge).  I know the counts are down, but I plan to use it anyway--I'm going to toss it into a 1 L starter flask tonight or tomorrow.

[denny]

For a lager, you'll need a lot more than a 1L starter.  I usually don't wait for the pack to expand before making a starter.  It's really not necessary and your starter will show you the viability.

[bluesman]

For a lager, you'll need a lot more than a 1L starter.  I usually don't wait for the pack to expand before making a starter.  It's really not necessary and your starter will show you the viability.

+1

I recommend pitching immediately.

[majorvices]

It is about a year old (but kept at constant 36 F in the fridge).  I know the counts are down, but I plan to use it anyway--I'm going to toss it into a 1 L starter flask tonight or tomorrow.

Hopefully you are using the 1 L starter to step up to a 4L starter or larger.

[richardt]

Well... it looks like all I had to do was post something on the forum, and then whaddyaknow, the smack pack just swells up by the time I come home and makes a liar out of me...

OK.  I'll pitch into the 1 liter starter flask, then bump up into the 2 liter flask, and then the 4 liter.

A 10 gallon batch is planned and will be split between two plastic bucket fermenters.

[denny]

OK.  I'll pitch into the 1 liter starter flask, then bump up into the 2 liter flask, and then the 4 liter.

I'd skip the 2 and just go from the 1 to the 4.

[a10t2]

With yeast that old, I wouldn't go straight to a 1 L volume either. Maybe 250 mL, 1 L, then 4 L. It'll probably be faster than waiting for the 1 L to start.