Dunkel 5gal extract yeast question

Brewing Processes
1

Here’s a dunkel extract recipe I plan to make but am looking to substitute the liquid yeast with Saflager w-34/70. Thoughts on 1 or 2 yeast packets since the recipe is calling for 2 tubes?

3.3lbs amber LME (start of boil)
3lbs dark DME (15 min left)
Steeping grains (150ºF for 30 min):
.75lbs crystal malt (10L)
.2lbs chocolate malt (350L)
.2lbs debittered black (Carafa II)
Hops: 0.5oz Mt. Hood (60 min), 0.5oz Mt. Hood (15 min), 0.5oz Mt. Hood (5 min)
Yeast: White Labs Southern German Lager Yeast, 2 purepitch tubes.

2

S189 would be better for the style than 34/70. Not that 34/70 would be bad. What batch size, OG, and fermentation temp?

3

It depends somewhat on fermentation temperature, but I would honestly say… 1 pack of W-34/70 will be enough regardless.  And if fermenting warm, then even just 1/2 a pack will be enough.  You definitely won’t need 2 packs.

I agree with this also.

4

OG: 1.052

Pitch at 60ºF, ferment at 51ºF for 8 days (50% attenuation), 65ºF for 4 days, then cold crash/lager at 32ºF for 11 days

5

I’d say one pack would be plenty at that temp.

6

I’m still questioning the 2 yeast tubes the recipe calls for but glad I asked. I thought 1 would have been plenty but that’s the general consensus here. Thanks y’all! Cheers!

7

That 2 tubes is probably the recommendation for liquid yeast without a starter. One pack in a shaken-not-stirred (aka vitality starter) is probably more than sufficient.

In my experience, lager yeasts can be pitched at ale pitch rates when fermented at ale temperatures.

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