Should I do a starter for a Hefe?

[Boondoggie]

I'm doing a Hefe this weekend, and I'm wondering if I should do my usual starter? Isn't some of the character of a hefe because of overworked yeast?

 

[syd138]

Are you using dry yeast, White Labs or Wyeast smack pack?

If you are using WLP300 (which I always use for Weissens) definitely do a starter.

If you do a starter, use Wheat DME and use enough to make it the same OG as the beer you are brewing.. probably around 1.049 for a heffe.

 

[Edcculus]

If its liquid, its always a good idea. The character comes from the yeast itself, not from it being "overworked". I make all my hefe starters with regular DME. 100g DME to 1L water.

 

[The Pol]

Liquid yeast = starter

 

[syd138]

what about doing a starter for a smack pack? Necessary? I generally don't

 

[Boondoggie]

I'm using a smack pack, Wyeast #3333 German Wheat Yeast. I generally make a starter of light DME...

 

[syd138]

do you smack it an pour it into the starter, or jus pour it straight in?

 

[Rhoobarb]

do you smack it an pour it into the starter, or jus pour it straight in?

Smack and let it fully swell, then pour it into your starter.

 

[woollybugger2]

smack, to release the nutrients and then pitch

 

[Boondoggie]

do you smack it an pour it into the starter, or jus pour it straight in?

I generally smack it and pour right into the starter, without waiting for the swelling longer than it takes me to make the starter wort.

 

[ohiobrewtus]

If I'm making a beer with an OG > 1.039, I always make a starter. If it's 1.039 or lower, I just pitch the vial/smack pack.