Yeast Starters
A yeast starter is essentially a mini-wort that
allows the yeast to build up its population and essentially get
some momentum before being pitched to the main wort. Because
lager yeasts prefer lower fermentation temperatures, lager
fermentations tend to be slower and less volatile than ale
fermentations. A good, strong yeast starter is a great way to
make sure that you have a good, healthy fermentation. Therefore,
a large yeast starter is recommended for lagers.
Preparing a yeast starter is not very
complicated - it's little more than creating a very small wort.
The key is to strictly observe your sanitation practices.
Absolutely no shortcuts should be taken with sanitation when a
starter is being created. For lagers, a 2- to 3-quart starter is
recommended. To actually learn how to prepare and use a yeast
starter, please see the Yeast
Starters page.
