Being new to this starter production, I have a couple of questions about Mr. Malty that I would hope someone would help me with. I am interested in a 5.5 gal lager. Production date of the Wyeast is 1/11. Using my stir plate, Mr. Malty suggests I use 3 packets for a 2 + liter starter. My question is, am I pitching 3 packets into two liters of 1.030 - 1.040 gravity wort or am I stepping up three times to hit the yeast volumn?
What’s the OG? For 1.060 it puts you at 3 packs in 2.5 L or 2 packs in 4.2 L, so I’m assuming that’s about where you are.
Or you could pitch one pack into a 1 L starter, then step up to 2.5 L and get the same cell count.
Either way, the MrMalty calc assumes a 1.040 wort.
I opt for the step up. A bit more time and planning but DME is cheaper than yeast.