US-05 pitching rate

[Bakey]

I am planning a brew this weekend - an 23lt batch of an APA with a projected OG of 1.058. Yeast calculators suggest about two packs of US-05, but general searching seems to indicate one pack would be enough. What is the general consensus here? TIA

 

[Edison]

I would expect one pack should be easily enough. You could give it its best chance by rehydrating it carefully in pre-boiled water, aerating/oxygenating the wort prior to pitching and using a yeast nutrient if you have it (all good practice but not necessarily always crucial).

https://fermentis.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/SafAle-US-05.pdf

 

[phildo79]

I have a 500g yeast brick of US-05 and a 6g measuring spoon that I got from a tub of baby formula. Anything below a target 6% ABV, I use 2 scoops (12g), between 6% and 8%, I use 3 scoops and over 8% I use 4 scoops. Don't think I have made anything with a target ABV over 10% yet but I might add more if I did. I can tell you now that I have had no issues with the yeast using this method. So I strongly agree with @Edison that one packet will be plenty (assuming the packet is around the 11g mark).

 

[dwhite60]

One pack should easily be enough.

Who makes the pitch rate calculators? The yeast manufacturers?

Inquiring minds.......

 

[Guybrush Threepwood]

I have a 500g yeast brick of US-05 and a 6g measuring spoon that I got from a tub of baby formula. Anything below a target 6% ABV, I use 2 scoops (12g), between 6% and 8%, I use 3 scoops and over 8% I use 4 scoops. Don't think I have made anything with a target ABV over 10% yet but I might add more if I did. I can tell you now that I have had no issues with the yeast using this method. So I strongly agree with @Edison that one packet will be plenty (assuming the packet is around the 11g mark).

I agree with the pitching rates. I have an Imperial Stout brew (predicted 10.2%) at the weekend and have 2 packs US-05 for it. Usual strength brews (up to 7% ish) I have always pitched one 11g pack.

 

[Slid]

One pack of US 05 goes a long way. I re-use the trub by pouring into 250ml bottles and these are something of an over-pitch and attenuation is usually well over 80%. OG 1.050 down to 1.006 is not unusual.

 

[Bakey]

Thank you all very much for your helpful replies.

It is strange though that the yeast pitching calculators are suggesting higher pitching rates - perhaps they are developed by the yeast labs!

 

[Guybrush Threepwood]

Thank you all very much for your helpful replies.

It is strange though that the yeast pitching calculators are suggesting higher pitching rates - perhaps they are developed by the yeast labs!

I'm sure I read somewhere to be wary of online yeast calculators as they are designed to sell yeast.

This article may be of interest too:

https://byo.com/article/pitching-rates-yeast-techniques/

 

[strange-steve]

Interesting theories regarding the pitch rate conspiracy. Except that:

1. The instructions on liquid yeast packets would often lead to underpitching
2. Their websites warn against overpitching
3. They give instructions on how to harvest and reuse yeast
4. The popular online calculators (Mr malty, brew united, brewers friend) are not trying to sell yeast
5. Most people don't buy multiple packets of liquid yeast but make a starter, so maybe it's the DME manufacturers who are behind the conspiracy?

 

[Guybrush Threepwood]

Interesting theories regarding the pitch rate conspiracy. Except that:

1. The instructions on liquid yeast packets would often lead to underpitching
2. Their websites warn against overpitching
3. They give instructions on how to harvest and reuse yeast
4. The popular online calculators (Mr malty, brew united, brewers friend) are not trying to sell yeast
5. Most people don't buy multiple packets of liquid yeast but make a starter, so maybe it's the DME manufacturers who are behind the conspiracy?

Please don't ruin my conspiracy theories with well thought out, reasonable, logical points

 

[Hanglow]

I tend to use two packs for anything over about 1.052 or so but I don't bother rehydrating. That said it depends on the yeast/temperature and US05 is very forgiving.

Does anyone have the pitch rates that good commercial breweries use ? I've only seen that Dark Star use

30g/HL for 1.040 (mixed us05/notty/s04)
50g/HL for 1.076 (mixed notty s04)