Beer Forum

So I decided to do some top-cropping the other day. I didn't collect much, but I've read that you don't need a whole lot of yeast to get a good starter going. I don't have any flasks yet, so I collected about 4 oz of yeast in a 24 oz mason jar. I then made a starter and poured the wort on top of the yeast in the jar. Will this be sufficient to make an average gravity ale? or should I step it up into something bigger? I'm hoping it is sufficient because I don't really have a good vessel to make larger starters. In case it matters, the yeast was safale 05 and the yeast was top cropped from a blonde ale. I'd like to brew tomorrow.

How old is the yeast? Sounds like more than enough if it hasn't been sitting around for several weeks. I've never heard of anyone reusing dry yeast though... Why is that? because it's inexpensive?

I don't think you'll have any problems using that starter.

A fresh packet of 05 is probably easier, with less chance of infection, and cheaper than the cost of the DME.

Brandt wrote:I've never heard of anyone reusing dry yeast though... Why is that? because it's inexpensive?

Yeah, it probably cost more to make the starter wort than what a new pack of yeast costs.

Yeah I realize dry yeast is really cheap. I guess I just wanted to see if I could do top cropping. Plus it saves me a trip to the LHBS.

It actually would be better to reuse this yeast because it's gone thru a cycle and is in better condition than dry yeast. As long as the first batch is clean. The amout should be ok for 5 gal. Some brewers feel the third generation is even better. I've reused yeast cultured from a bottle of Fullers 1845 4 times and won best of show with it 2x. I didn't even wash it altho that would be better to clean it up. So don't look at cost, look at what makes the best beer period. That's why we do this.