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Author Topic: Need some advice!!!  (Read 1825 times)

Offline aviking427

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Need some advice!!!
« on: October 13, 2011, 06:00:02 pm »
I was planning on brewing a 10 gallon batch of Dopplebock this weekend and am about to get my starter going when I realized the 3 yeast packs are from May 3, 2011. (Bringing my 17 month old son ingredient shopping.....BAD IDEA). According to MRMALTY.COM, my yeast viability is only 10%. Do you think I'll be able to get a large enough starter going by Sunday if I make it tonight? My thought was to do a 5 gallon starter with the 3 packs, decant and do it again Saturday morning with that same yeast cake for a Sunday pitch. I was going to call tomorrow to see if they had gotten more packs. (Wyeast 2206) I am using a stir plate with oxygenated wort and yeast nutrients.

Thoughts? If i don't brew this weekend I'm not brewing for another 2 weeks and thats not gonna make me a happy camper.
« Last Edit: October 13, 2011, 06:04:38 pm by aviking427 »
Everyone should believe in something. I believe I'll have another beer.

Offline snowtiger87

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Re: Need some advice!!!
« Reply #1 on: October 14, 2011, 02:56:35 am »
I would brew a lower alcohol beer like a Dunkel or Helles to get my yeast count up and then use the yeast cake from that to ferment the Doppel Bock in 2 weeks. The timing should work out well.
Brewing since 1989 - BJCP National Rank
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Fermenting: Double IPA
Conditioning: Saison du Potiron
On tap: Cider, Cream Ale, Bock, Rye Dunkel Doppelbock, Celebration Clone, Imperial Stout

Offline aviking427

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Re: Need some advice!!!
« Reply #2 on: October 14, 2011, 05:56:26 am »
Great advice.... I didn't think of that. Thanks!!!!!!
Everyone should believe in something. I believe I'll have another beer.

Offline majorvices

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Re: Need some advice!!!
« Reply #3 on: October 14, 2011, 06:14:17 am »
Yep, that's how I grow up yeast for high gravity beers as well - by starting with lower gravity beers.

Offline davidgzach

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Re: Need some advice!!!
« Reply #4 on: October 14, 2011, 06:28:15 am »
I would brew a lower alcohol beer like a Dunkel or Helles to get my yeast count up and then use the yeast cake from that to ferment the Doppel Bock in 2 weeks. The timing should work out well.

+1
Dave Zach

Offline bonjour

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Re: Need some advice!!!
« Reply #5 on: October 14, 2011, 09:36:50 am »
Yep, that's how I grow up yeast for high gravity beers as well - by starting with lower gravity beers.
I brew starters, 5 gallon starters that I drink  ;D ;D ;D;)
Fred Bonjour
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AHA Governing Committee; AHA Conference, Club Support & Web Subcommittees



Everything under 1.100 is a 'session' beer ;)

Offline aviking427

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Re: Need some advice!!!
« Reply #6 on: October 14, 2011, 03:58:40 pm »
Awesome! I got my ingredients for a munich helles today and they had some fresh packs of 2206, so i grabbed a few of them and will be brewing a tasty starter tomorrow.

Thanks all!!!
Everyone should believe in something. I believe I'll have another beer.