Make multiple yeast batches from starter?

[ewibolo]

Can you take one pack of yeast and make a starter then just split that into 4 yeast batches. Do you have to brew your first beer and then wash it making your 4 yeast jars? Thanks everyone.

 

[VikeMan]

Can you take one pack of yeast and make a starter then just split that into 4 yeast batches.

Yes, but depending on how big a starter you made, and the gravity and sizes of the beer batches you want to brew, each of those 4 splits may not be enough yeast to properly ferment a batch. i.e. you might need to do a second starter step for each.

 

[day_trippr]

You can definitely take a pack of yeast and propagate it resulting in multiples of the original cell count. You just need to meet the metrics required, and as noted, it may take more than one "step".

There are lots of pretty good yeast propagation calculators freely available on the internet that can provide guidance on things like how large of a vessel/starter volume is required to achieve the desired "split -able" result. The calculator provided by the massive conglomerate that runs Home Brew Talk, for instance, is pretty easy to use to figure out steps and volumes to get from "what you have" to "what you want".

An even more useful yeast tool is BrewUnited's "Homebrew Dad" calculator, which provides an easy way to factor in "over-builds" so one can end up with enough yeast to pitch plus an amount to store for the next propagation....

Cheers!

 

[ewibolo]

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the information.