Enough Yeast?

If you have everything to make a starter I think that would be the best, and quickest method IMO.

A starter could yield more yeast than the 2 packets together.

 

Are you a fan of the Mr. Malty yeast calculator?

According to the Mr. Malty yeast calculator you need 1.2 packets of 11.5 gram dry yeast for your kit beer.

At a minimum I would strongly recommend that you re-hydrate your packet of dry yeast.

Cheers!

 

It is not recommended to make a starter from dry yeast.

Cheers!

 

you are breaking the first rule of homebrewing. don't worry.
one package of fresh -05 will work. not optimal, but it will certainly make beer, good beer if you do everything else correctly.

PtE should have a rather large colony prior to fermentation. 2 packages, 22grams is recommended if not more.

don't waste your time or money making a starter with dry yeast. its more expensive and doesn't help anyway. spend the $3 on the dry yeast, save the DME and the time.
Cheers.

 

I am still trying to understand this, could you please explain to someone still getting their feel for home brewing?

 

If you have the book Brewing Classic Styles by Jamil Zainasheff and John Palmer go to page 285: “For dry yeasts, just do a proper rehydration in tap water; do not make a starter.”

I have read where dry yeast manufacturers mention that you not make a starter from dry yeast since you will be ‘using up’ the glycogen reserves that the yeast manufacturers provide as part of the dry yeast production process. Using up these glycogen reserves is counterproductive.

Cheers!

 

A friend of mine did the same kit and when all was said and done there wasn't enough yeast to bottle condition,
so we cracked every bottle and poured it into a corney keg and O2'd it.
I would at a minimum rehydrate the pack like others mentioned or pitch 2 dry.

 

I'm guessing this is a typo and you mean CO2'd it? Years ago I had a batch that failed to carbonate, so I rehydrated some US-05 (US-56 back then), put a teaspoon or so in each bottle and recapped. Worked like a charm.

 

The NB pliny clone produces a 6 gallon batch. 1 pack of Safale US-05 for 6 gallons at 1.070 OG is a big underpitch. You really NEED 2 packs.

 

From the Norther Brewer website for the kit: "Beer Kit Yield 5 Gallons"

Cheers!

 

From the NB web site:

- 6 gallon batch size

source: http://www.northernbrewer.com/documentation/allgrain/AG-PlinianLegacy.pdf

But even for 5 gallons @ 1.070, wouldn't you say that 1 pack of dry yeast is a pretty significant underpitch?

 

Yes the recipe sheer states a value if 6 gallons but the Additional Tab provides:

Beer Kit Yield 5 Gallons
Recipe and Instructions Click Here!
Regional Style USA
Beer Style IPA
Color Light
Original Gravity 1070

If you utilize 6 gallons in the Mr. Malty yeast calculator that yields a value if 1.4 packets.

I really think the volume is closer to 5.25 gallons (the default value of the Mr. Malty calculator) than the 6 gallon value.

No matter how you consider this, the Mr. Malty packet value is closer to 1 vs. 2.

Cheers!

 

I did an IPA that was 1068 OG and Mr. malty recommended like a pack and a quarter or something like that (also using dry US05). I said screw it and just pitched two, no rehydrate or anything. Worked great. Gravity went down to 1012, no problems what soever. If your going to err with pitching, I'd say over pitch it. Haven't heard or read of anyone having problems with too much yeast. At least not in a big beer like Pliny.

 

One package ==> stress...anxiety...sweaty palms...pacing...consternation...insomnia...fear...edginess...dread.
Two packages ==> relaxed...not worried...having a home brew!

 

@Wanda posted: "I'd say over pitch it."

Yep, that is an option as well if you want to spend more money.

Cheers!

 

Is the risk of "spend(ing) more money" by pitching more yeast than might be necessary...greater than the risk of under-pitching?

3 bucks is cheap insurance.

 

Hey it's better than trying to measure 11.2 grams or 235 million cells lol. I look at it as an investment.

 

Yep CO2'd

 

That or a typo in the other direction, and he meant to say that he O'd it.