Yeast starter

I have posted numerous times in past threads that pitching ‘tons’ of yeast will never result in a bad homebrewed beer. If folks want to utilize yeast calculators such as the one on the Mr. Malty website that is their choice.

The truth of the matter is that yeast calculators such as the one on the Mr. Malty website result in answers that are grossly conservative; there are way more yeast cells then are needed for a clean & healthy fermentation. The effort & cost associated with brewing as per the Mr. Malty yeast calculator is greater than what is needed.

I will close with one of my old sayings: homebrew the beers you like and homebrew it the way you like.

Cheers!

 

So what pitch rate in count per volume per gravity is the right rate, i.e. not 'grossly conservative?'

 

You'll probably need a 400x min and 900x doesn't hurt. Price? $20+

Thanks Google:
http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f163/microscope-yeast-223143/
http://braukaiser.com/wiki/index.php?title=Microscope_use_in_brewing

 

The hemocytometers are not so bad as far as cost. If I would get off my butt I would look for a microscope at the big U surplus property sale. Lots of stuff there that a homebrewer could use.

 

I've been re-reading Yeast and making notes:

"Microscope with 400x minimum magnification for counting yeast. You want built-in illumination, adjustable condenser with aperture diaphragm control, mechanical stage, and binocular eyepiece. Without x/y mechanical stage controls, it is nearly impossible to count cells... a far less expensive bright field microscope is more than adequate for counting cells."

hows this look? here's a decent example, although no mechanical control.

http://www.amscope.com/d100-ms.html

Edit: inchrisin's quote way better than mine.

 

Aww, shucks