I bought two different yeast strains by mistake and now have a question regarding my fermentation.
Yesterday I brewed an IPA with an OG of 1.078 and pitched a 5L starter of WLP051. It wont be enough to ferment it all the way.
I have another 2L flask starter with WLP001 going on right now.
My initial solution was to let 051 finish what it can ferment and once fermentation slows down pitch 001 (i’ll refrigerate the 2L starter). Thing is I’ll be gone until Sunday morning and wont be able to pitch until then.
Or, I can just throw in 001 today and let them simultaneously ferment and wish for the best, hoping as well that yeast from 051 don’t get stressed because of the underpitching.
Ideally I’d like to wait and let 051 do its thing, then finish off with 001
If you pitched a 5L starter, I would say that’s more than enough. Even if you under pitched, the yeast should still do the trick, it may just take longer. Using a different strain of yeast might produce a different flavor beer, as yeast strains were cultivated for specific types of beer. But we’re homebrewers, and we have the luxury of experimentation. Relax, don’t worry, it will probably be fine.
You can get by with a smaller starter is you have a stir plate, <2 Liters on mrmalty. That is one thing that I now wouldn’t do without. Put it on your wish list.