How to do a BIG lager yeast starter

[Trigger]

Have been brewing a variety of all grain ales for the last couple of years and have now decided to have a go at a lager - a Czech Pilsner.

I've read articles that say you need 4 packs of yeast - well I'm buggered if I'm spending �£25 on yeast so I'm going to do a big starter.

My question is, if I start off with a normal size starter, can I then add dme solution (boiled of course) to increase the size of the starter?

Hopefully someone can help! Cheers :

 

[Hoddy]

You will need to do a multi stage starter to increase your cell count in stages as you'll need a bucket of DME otherwise. You need to know your batch size and therefore your inoculation rate you need. Use Brewers friend starter calculator if your not sure.

 

[Trigger]

Thanks for that, Hoddy. I had a look at a couple of yeast calculators (never knew they existed!) and have calculated that I need about 400g of DME over 2 stages. Should be doable! Cheers!

 

[ManseMasher]

Get 'er Brewed have packets of yeast for a couple of quid? Are you sure dried yeast you're looking at is �£6 a go? That sounds more like liquid yeast to me.....

 

[Hoddy]

Manse is right about the costs. If you want to do it on a budget then Nottingham or mangrove jacks should be allot cheaper.

With a large volume starter you just need to check that you starter isn't going to exceed the maximum percentage of the total wort. Otherwise your introducing DME and other yeasty'ness to your beer, above that you need to produce the alcohol.

Let us know how you get on.

 

[Trigger]

Cheers guys. I'm using liquid yeast, hence the worry about the cost! It's a Czech Pils Wyeast. It'll be a 2l starter volume in a 25l brew. Thanks for the pointers, will let you know how it turns out!