Homebrewers - Whats in the fermenter?

[landhoney]

Originally Posted by Mikey202

Just bought a brew kit. Got a Dark and Stormy Night Stout. I'm on vacation next week, so that's what I'm going to do one of the days.
I have one question.... the yeast packet I have is a pack, that you bust a bubble inside. I'm used to using yeast in a tube (White Labs). This packet that I have, says that I have to make a starter, ect. Seems like alot of extra work. Can I just activate the yeast pack and then just add it to the wort when the time comes to add the yeast, or do I have to make a starter first?

It depends on the original gravity of the beer (what is yours?), and how fresh the yeast is really. But the short answer is that yes you can just smack it and pitch it into the wort. If the gravity of the beer is high, or the yeast is not that fresh making a starter is a good idea. Also, once you make a starter or two it's easy, I make one for just about every batch. Pitching the right amount of yeast will make your beer better, sometimes a 'smack pack' is enough, but other times not (like in high gravity beers or when the yeast is not fresh)

And actually there are two types of Wyeast packs; Activators and Propagators, which do you have? If it's a Propagator Pack then you really should make a starter, they are designed with a lower active cell count to make a starter with, the Activators are designed to be pitched into lower gravity beers without a starter (but should use a starter in the above instances).