Imperial stout

What's the target OG?

Most likely you'll need to do a quick starter
http://www.mrmalty.com/calc/calc.html

 

I say save the 1318 for something else. Then again, I have never used it for imperial stout, so it could be solid.

However, I'm a big fan of US05 for Imperial stout. The neutral flavor really lets the dark roast malts shine. Also, keeps things from getting overly sweet.

 

Haven't used 1318 in an imperial stout so I can't comment, but I love cal ale for that style. It has produced my two best imperial stouts to date. 2 packs should be good depending on your OG. Lots of o2. I do a 2nd blast of o2 12 hours after pitching.

 

I've never used 1318 for an imperial stout. I used it for a toasted coconut and vanilla milk stout once and it came out delicious

 

I have learned over time not to use english strains for big imperial stouts, even with temp control the esters can become a bit much. I can say 1318 has similar attenuation numbers as compared to 1056, but I don't know if the 1318 can tolerate alcohol levels as high as 1056 can.

 

1318 is great in stouts. Think about the great things it does to the body of a hoppy beer. That characteristic also carries over to stouts. The biggest worry is definitely alcohol tolerance, as others have pointed out. I've never gone that high with the OG and 1318.

 

If you're going to give it a shot, make sure you rouse and ramp temp to help it finish. Additionally if you do get stuck, you can always add 1056. If you do add 1056 late, make sure to do a quick starter adding at high krausen to limit shock.

 

You can also co-pitch the 1318 with the s-05. My RIS uses English and neutral yeasts (i use wlp001 and 002), and it gets the right attenuation with not too many English esters. Just keep temperatures in the mid to low 60s.

 

IMHO, and I've brewed a LOT of very big stouts, one pack of 1318 will not be sufficient, even with a quick starter. If I were you, I'd go with 4 packs of US05, and at least a 1.5 gal starter. Remember that each US05 sachet will only have 65billion cells vs. 100billion from vials or smack-packs. The most important thing with a beer of this size is attenuation - you don't want this thing stuck at 1.040...