one smack pack, a starter, two 5 gallon batches

[nathanm]

Want to brew two batches of around 1.045 pale ale. One this weekend, one next weekend. Can i just buy a smack pack/vial and make a starter, say a 2 liter starter, pitch all except maybe 1/4, store that in fridge, and make another starter from the 1/4 i kept and be good to go? Never made a starter before, only repitched from previous batches, but don't want to wait to harvest yeast from the previous batch.

yes, saving $7 is worth it to me.

[Bugeater]

I've done that trick a few times myself. Not a thing wrong with it.

Wayne

[nathanm]

Thanks bugeater, i'll give it a try and see what happens. Using my new home-made stir plate, can't wait.

[jamilz]

Better yet, top crop from the first batch. You'll get some killer yeast ready to ferment.

[TapItGood]

Is it OK to top crop and store in refridgerator for 2 weeks and then create a starter from that?

[jamilz]

Sure, but if you have two weeks, you could just snag the slurry from the previous batch.

[mediumsk]

i wish someone would make some sort of tool to make top cropping easier for carboy users

[Henning1966]

Whats so hard about a carboy cap with a racking cane. Push it down to just into the top of the beer with a tube on the racking cane.