Beer Forum

Is there a reason why I would not want to just buy 2-3 viles of yeast instead of building up the same numbers over a couple days from a starter?
Yes I know not being lazy and cheap is one but I am just lazy. I noticed I was not putting in as much yeast in most of my brews as I should be and just thought I would huck another vile (smack pack) in there.

That's a VERY viable option, but you should still make sure that you are not over or under-pitching. Use Jamil's Calculator @ http://www.mrmalty.com and it will tell you how many you need depending on the O.G. of the beer.

Rob

Sweet - that is what I thought.

yea it was Jamil's calculator that made me realize I was under pitching. I am guessing my Empirial Stout is not so Empirial!

I am sure it is Imperial though

Actually, it's probably fine as long as it attenuated all the way. Did you check the gravity? It will just have more esters from stressing the yeast, and maybe more residuals. If you have not bottled yet, check the gravity. If it's high pitch more yeast.

Rob

I-mperial! Whoops

OH it has been bottled and sitting for 10 months.
it tastes decent. Something is off though. I am not sure what. I don't know what esters taste like. I haven't done a final gravity reading on it yet. I only just sampled it with out thinking. I have waited a long time to drink it.

I really dont think there is such a thing as over-pitching. Over-spending on the pitch maybe but the more yeast cells you have the better off you are imho.

HH