Question about yeast.

[PaulRob]

Hi all thanks for accepting me to the forum. I am new to All grain and have brewed 2 4.5 litre Ales, still condition in bottles at the moment, but both looked and smelled like some kind ale so fingers crossed.
For my next batched, I have decided to try and get more brew for my money by buying the 11litre kit as only 50% more cost but more than double the amount of brew, I was going to split this onto 3 small batches of 3.7 litres. I have had a look online and on this forum and I think this will be ok to do. I'm going to give it a try anyway.
The question I have is about the yeast, I have the same size dry yeast pack (10g) as i got with the smaller kit, and I was wondering if it is ok to split this dry yeast pack into 3 or do i need a 10g pack for each batch , it is for a continental style lager with a recommended OG of 1.052, any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.
Paul

 

[foxbat]

Hi Paul, welcome to the forum. Given the very small batch size of 3x 3.7 litres, and assuming that this is an ale yeast to be fermented warm (18-22C) then yes I think it would be fine to split the 10g of dry yeast evenly across the 3 batches.

 

[The Baron]

I would think splitting would be ok too as long as you seal the packet back up and keep refrigerated or even better vac seal the packet inside a appropriate vac sealing bag

 

[PaulRob]

Hi, thank you both for your replies. Being new to home brewing I expected the larger kit to come with a larger pack of yeast, only noticed when I properly checked, the kit is for a continental pilsner style, the yeast is a Mangrove Jack Bohemian lager yeast, states it is for German Pilsners, Baltic porter or American lagers. Packet instructions say for best results ferment at 10-15 degrees, however brew day instructions say ferment at 18-22 degrees, not sure if this would change your opinion. Also for this small amount of yeast is it still recommended to rehydrate in a small amount of water, or do you think sprinkling straight into cooled wort would work.
Thanks again.

 

[MyQul]

Yes it's fine to split the yeast. On the odd occasion I make 5L batches I just put 3g of yeast in the wort and put the rest into the freezer. Normally I make 10L batches. If I use dry yeast I put half the pack in the wort and the rest in the freezer for another brew. I just sprink yeast onto my wort no mater the size (apart from the last brew I did because I used a half pack of US-05 I'd had in the freezer for a year so I re-hydrated it).
If your fermenting at 10C you'll need to use twice a much yeast. If your fermenting at ale temps (you ccan ferment lager yeast at ale temps no problems) dont worry and just split the pack

 

[PaulRob]

Thanks again for all the replies, I will split the yeast and see how it goes, fingers crossed.