Rapid start to fermentation is ideal. The quicker the fermentation, the lesser chance of any bacterial contamination. The conditions of fermentation are too severe for any bacteria to grow. Proper pitching temperatures are important, as is holding a constant temperature throughout the fermentation. One way to ensure a rapid start to fermentation is by pitching a yeast starter. The standard package or vial of yeast is generally not enough to get the ideal amount of yeast cells for rapid fermentation. Yeast starters help by growing the number of yeast cells to ideal amounts which is satisfactory for pitching. Basically a yeast starter is a mini batch of beer, fermented with no hops added. This allows the yeast to reproduce and then settle out.
DIY Methods of Making a Yeast Starter:
First off, the materials you will need is as follows:
- Beer bottle or growler or 1 gallon glass gar. Your choice.
- DME (Dried Malt Extract)
- Yeast. liquid or dry. Your choice.
- Fermentation Lock – 1 piece or 3 piece. Your choice.
- Pot – to boil min-wort in
- Siphon (if you don’t have the skills to pour directly)
- No Rinse Sanitizer such as Iodophor, etc.
- Ice
Making a yeast starter is simple when using this method. The first step is to clean everything thoroughly, especially the glass vessel (whichever you chose..) Now bring 1 cup water to 1/2 cup DME (dried malt extract) to a boil. Immediately after boiling, put the lid on the pot and submerge in an ice bath so the wort can be cooled to 60 degrees. You should have the glass jar, siphon, and airlock in a sanitizer bucket. Take them out and pour the cooled wort into the glass jar (using the siphon if you don’t have the skills). Immediately add the yeast. Aerate by shaking the hell out of it. Yes you could use an aeration stone but I don’t see why you would bother for a starter. Don’t forget to attach the fermentation lock. Once the fermentation has completed there will be a nice layer of yeast on the bottom of the jar. Just pour out the liquid and pitch the yeast into your next homebrew! You could just swish it all together and pitch with the liquid.
