big yeast starter question plz help

[monk420]

brewing 3 batches today last one is an old school barley wine it calls for a big yeast starter not sure what that is. I only purchased one wyeast smack pack and made a starter. Will that work. I also have a spare wyeast smack pack. however it is a different strain. if i need more yeast could i use that if so i will make a starter now. or am i screwed. and last question do u put all the yeast in at once for a big starter , or add some and then add the rest the next day. thanks going go start 1st batch check in later thanks for any help. just a side note these r batches 8,9,10 all extract with specailty grains. 1st one is northern brewer no.8, next is northern brewer tounge splitter, and last will is nortthen brewwer no.1 old school barley wine

 

[mr_bell]

The yeast pitch rate calculator on www.mrmalty.com can help with figuring out the size of the starter. I use it every brew. It will also give you an idea of how many packs/vials to use if not using a starter.

 

[wonderbread23]

Yeah, if it's high OG, you'll likely need a huge starter. It's likely too late for that if your brewing today. I like to give my starters 36 hours to completely ferment out anf for the yeast to rebuild energy stores, and then crash cool it for another 24 so I can easily decant it. At this rate you're better off pitching a couple a couple if dry yeast packs.