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So, before I head out for a 2-week vacation I want to get a lager into fermentation. I'll have to brew on the 23rd to get everything buttoned down before I have to start packing. I'm obviously going to need a starter and I can't decide on a strategy.
I'll do an 11-gallon batch and what I usually do is make a 5.5 gallon batch of table beer so I have a huge pitch and slammer beer to drink as well. I can't brew tonight so I'd have to brew tomorrow night to get something going. That only leaves 5 days to ferment out a starter batch and rack off of the cake. I'm using S-23 and that usually goes pretty fast but am I pushing my luck?
Otherwise I can take my single pack of S-23 and do a 2-stage starter which would probably take as long as the batch because I don't have a stir plate and the shake method of aeration takes a little longer.
Worst comes to worst, I can run out and buy 3 more packets of yeast but I really hate paying as much for yeast as I'd pay for ingredients for the batch of light beer.
Thoughts?
I'll do an 11-gallon batch and what I usually do is make a 5.5 gallon batch of table beer so I have a huge pitch and slammer beer to drink as well. I can't brew tonight so I'd have to brew tomorrow night to get something going. That only leaves 5 days to ferment out a starter batch and rack off of the cake. I'm using S-23 and that usually goes pretty fast but am I pushing my luck?
Otherwise I can take my single pack of S-23 and do a 2-stage starter which would probably take as long as the batch because I don't have a stir plate and the shake method of aeration takes a little longer.
Worst comes to worst, I can run out and buy 3 more packets of yeast but I really hate paying as much for yeast as I'd pay for ingredients for the batch of light beer.
Thoughts?