Frugal Yeasts

[Cliff]

It's not really all that important.

Really there are only a few reasons for my using any given yeast: Ease of pitch, the flavor profile, diacetal production, and flocculation.
Other than those considerations I don't see much point on worrying over the yeast format whether dry or wet.

If you start filtering or getting into fining agents you may care less about flocculation

But come on, for a lousy $6.00 per brew cycle you get a smack pack from WYeast or a bottle from White Labs and you are golden.

If you want to do your own starters just use a giant PET soda or liquor bottle, they hold plenty and you can oxygenate the starter at will by shaking the hell out of it.

When hydrating dry yeasts use only cool-ish sterile water and don't add wort till after they've had a good soaking. The cell walls will be overly fragile at first so it's best to let 'em wake up from their little nap before feeding 'em. Give 'em like 5 to ten minutes.

[sukivel]

That's great info. I have been wanting to try yeast starters. Would it be good/better to use a better yeast and then reuse it, or should I just get into starters. I guess my next question is...do most homebrewers use yeast starters? I look in the catalogs at the cool tools and gadgets and they are trying to sell me everything of course. Do I need a starter if I use a better yeast strain? I know that higher gravity beers need a starter and more yeast...I guess that's where the starter comes in.

I guess when it comes down to it that I will eventually use every "better" technique I can find. Right now I am trying to figure out where my extra money is going.

Thanks again.

[PhillyBrewer]

Cliff: Using liquid yeast is more than just the $6 the vials cost. It's the cost of DME, equipment (eg. e-flasks, stir plate, etc. albeit a one-time purchase), and most significantly for me, the time it takes to make the starter. I use both liquid and dry yeasts, but just wanted to make a note because you made it seem like a mere $6 is the difference between dry and liquid yeasts and I wholeheartedly disagree.