Jim's Beer Kit

Thanks for all the advice, guys. I've definitely discounted the original option.

Thanks, Kev. I opted for 250 ml and then stepped up to a litre today, which is looking quite healthy. Do you think that will be enough for 10l of Saison (OG 1060) or should I step up again to 2 litres? I've just noticed I mis-typed 19 litres in my first post which is probably why the previous advice...

Thanks, guys. I’ve gone with your advice.

I’m planning to make a starter from about 10mls of Saison yeast (Wyeast 3711). It’s very solid, pure yeast but quite old. I’m intending to brew 19 litres of Saison (it was previously used in a biere de garde). I think it will need a litre starter, but my question is, would I be better making 500 mls...

Thank, I’ll look at those. I’ve since.

Simple question - are these any good?

Thanks, both. That’s really helpful and also reassuring!

I invested in some small pressure barrels as I was told by my local home-brew shop that they will continue to keep beer fresh for months once you start drinking it. I've since heard that's wrong. I have made a few brews to give to people over Christmas which I've stored (primed with corn sugar) in p...

My 250ml bottle has a tiny amount of yeast after several days, maybe 5ml tops. Is that enough for a starter for a 10l brew? Yes. What you have sounds exactly like what I get for my 10L brews. IPA says he harvests using a 500ml bttle and pitches into 1L for a 50L brew. Based on that pitching what yo...

My 250ml bottle has a tiny amount of yeast after several days, maybe 5ml tops. Is that enough for a starter for a 10l brew?

Thanks, Ian and MTW. I believe Mango Jacks do a very similar dried yeast so I will get some of that and taste the starter. The sample is now absolutely crystal clear, which is encouraging (being a Jaipur, it looks like a different kind of sample!), albeit there doesn't seem to be much yeast yet. I t...

Thanks for that, IPA. I'm always reluctant to open the fermenter because I am still quite a novice so I'm taking the most risk averse path I can until I get more confident. The whole sanitation thing is drummed into you until the air feels thick with beer destroying bugs. I've taken the plunge now s...

Following advice from (metaphorically) older heads than mine, I had a look at IPA's yeast scavenging method. I was reluctant (paranoid) to open my fermenter, however, as I feared I had a stuck fermentation, I decide to check the gravity and at the same time scavenge some yeast. NOW... my concern was...

Thanks again, Kev. In that case, I will step it up to around 750ml and give it a try in a 10 litre brew.

Thanks. Kev, I've had a look at mrmalty calculator, and that is a big help. Meatymc - hmm, I'm paranoid about opening my fermenter!!! scotsloon - sorry to be dim, but once I start multiplying my 20ml in a starter, how do I know when I've got enough for a 10l or bigger batch? MyQui - thanks, that hel...