How much starter culture is too much?

[Asalpaws]

I've got Wyeast British Ale 2 in a starter culture that is 1.3 L, I was planning my first AG brew for Monday and was going to let the yeast settle and just pour off the spent wort.

However a change of plans and I'm brewing tomorrow. I can't see it settling by then. Will it be OK to chuck the whole lot into a 23 L batch of beer? Or is this risking off flavours?

 

[Good Ed]

I'd put it in the fridge overnight, which should let most of the yeast drop out, you can then pour off the spent wort. If you do this first thing in the morning the yeast will then have enough time to get back to room temperature. If you are breing a dark malty beer it probably won't make much difference, but for a pale ale I wouldn't want to add spent wort.

What are you brewing?

A good thing to do is to take say 500ml of wort from half way through your boil, cool it and then add to your yeast starter, this will get it going for when you are ready to pitch.

 

[Asalpaws]

Thanks for the advice, going to try a variant on Summer Lightning from Graham Wheeler's book, so I'll try and avoid adding the DME wort of my starter!

TBH I'm not sure the starter is going to add much that a fully primed smack pack won't do but I couldn't resist messing around.

 

[Good Ed]

Lovely pint, I've done the GW recipe, very nice :thumb:

 

[Asalpaws]

I thought about adding 100g of caramalt to take the edge off the hops SWMBO is not keen on very sharp brews. Will this scupper the balance?

 

[Good Ed]

I wouldn't mess with GW's recipe, you'll find the EKG and Challenger give a nice soft bitterness; I think cara malt would be a bit too punchy; just my opinion of course It's always best to make a starter with liquid yeasts :thumb:

 

[dennisking]

I'm with Ed on this, good recipe, great pint. I will brew it again soon for the summer.

 

[Asalpaws]

Cool, so many variables. Must say of the things I've read the "AG guided tour thread" has been the most useful. Thanks A

 

[Asalpaws]

Thanks guys, I left it on the door step overnight and the yeast had settled our nicely. Was able to pour off the excess wort leaving a nice yeast cake that went into my brew today.