Kolsch Starter Question

[jmsullivan73]

Here is the situation - this coming weekend I am planning to brew a five gallon batch of Kolsch (Jamil's "JZ Fruh")with an OG of 1.048. I am going to make a starter, but I need your help recommending the steps/process to get there. Here is the inventory - 1 tube of WLP029 (German Kolsch Yeast, best by date May 22), 2 x 2L erlenmeyer flasks, and 1 stir-plate. Based on Jamil's calculator I need 3.1 L of starter for this beer. I could use both erlenmeyer flasks and prepare 2 x 1.55L of starter wort and split the tube between the two or I could do steps; where I start with 1L for a couple days, then step up to a new starter of 3.1L (I would have to improvise a container if I do it this way). What do you all think? I need to get started soon to be ready for Saturday/Sunday.

Thanks,

[chrishw]

Why don't you double check yourself with Mr. Malty? That sounds a little high using a stirplate.

I have been making my starters ale size for hybrid batches- I wonder if I'm wrong there.

[jmsullivan73]

Yeah, I was thinking that it might be a bit high, but when you enter in the best by date (May 22 - 4 months for White Labs = January 22, 2208) and when you adjust the "Growth Factor" to get to 1 vial (the default jumped to 2 vials, which I do not have) it gets to 3.05L of starter.

[chrishw]

Ah- ok- I personally think that WL has a little more viability than wyeast. I think when they are brand new they have closer to 125B cells- so that when they are one month old they have about 100b. Also, I can get most/all of the yeast cells out. Those wyeast packages seems to keep a bunch stuck in the corners and those plastic bags. This is another rant for another day.



I suggest to just do a stepped starter. A 1L starter gets you about 100b cells. then chill, decant, and make your "final" starter.

Basically 1 tube (or one pack) is 100B cells. When you have 44% viability you have 44B cells. the first starter will increase this to the 100b level, then the 2nd will get your target. Many times Mr. Malty calc says I need say 4 wl tubes to go into my starter- I know this is just 400B cells- so I know I can do my first starter to hit the 400b- then just pitch that into my second starter. When you do your calc for that 2nd starter- use 100% viability- since you have 100B cells AFTER you did that 1L starter!

[jmsullivan73]

Ah- ok- I personally think that WL has a little more viability than wyeast. I think when they are brand new they have closer to 125B cells- so that when they are one month old they have about 100b. Also, I can get most/all of the yeast cells out. Those wyeast packages seems to keep a bunch stuck in the corners and those plastic bags. This is another rant for another day.



I suggest to just do a stepped starter. A 1L starter gets you about 100b cells. then chill, decant, and make your "final" starter.

Basically 1 tube (or one pack) is 100B cells. When you have 44% viability you have 44B cells. the first starter will increase this to the 100b level, then the 2nd will get your target. Many times Mr. Malty calc says I need say 4 wl tubes to go into my starter- I know this is just 400B cells- so I know I can do my first starter to hit the 400b- then just pitch that into my second starter. When you do your calc for that 2nd starter- use 100% viability- since you have 100B cells AFTER you did that 1L starter!

Thanks for the feedback. I was not thinking of it that way. Basically I was planning to do about a 1L starter for a couple days, chill, decant, then pitch into a 3L starter, but if you figure the first step gets you to 100M cells and the viability is close to 100%, then you only need to do the second starter at just over 1L also! Good point!

Thanks,

[Dirk McLargeHuge]

Ah- ok- I personally think that WL has a little more viability than wyeast. I think when they are brand new they have closer to 125B cells- so that when they are one month old they have about 100b. Also, I can get most/all of the yeast cells out. Those wyeast packages seems to keep a bunch stuck in the corners and those plastic bags. This is another rant for another day.



I suggest to just do a stepped starter. A 1L starter gets you about 100b cells. then chill, decant, and make your "final" starter.

Basically 1 tube (or one pack) is 100B cells. When you have 44% viability you have 44B cells. the first starter will increase this to the 100b level, then the 2nd will get your target. Many times Mr. Malty calc says I need say 4 wl tubes to go into my starter- I know this is just 400B cells- so I know I can do my first starter to hit the 400b- then just pitch that into my second starter. When you do your calc for that 2nd starter- use 100% viability- since you have 100B cells AFTER you did that 1L starter!

And the rocket launches when?

I know I need to start using starters, but this makes me think of slide rules and pocket protectors. I may have to hold of until I understand this better.

[baltobrewer]

I just did that for a kolsch. I stepped up 3 times. first with 500 mls of wort, then with 2000, then to a gallon. This photo was after I chilled and decanted about half of the final gallon step up:

[jmsullivan73]

Baltobrewer, how many gallons where you brewing?