Tag: starter

Tip: The Many Homebrewing Uses for Mason Jars

Most homebrewers have a ton of gear. Some of these things get frequent use and are worth every penny while others sit aside and gather dust. Some things get replaced with the new and improved versions of gear we already have. Then there are some things that are just staples of the brewhouse that everyone should own. I propose that the humble Mason jar is one of those staples. It's versatile, simple, and best of all, cheap for what it provides your home brewery. Let's have a look at the many homebrewing uses for Mason jars!

Making Multiple Yeast Starters in a Pressure Canner

Liquid yeast is awesome for one primary reason - variety. This variety enables you to choose a yeast that helps you achieve the precise flavor profile you're targeting. It gives you flexibility in esters, attenuation, alcohol tolerance, fermenting temp ranges, and more. However, if you're using liquid yeast, you're almost certainly going to need a starter and starters can be a pain in the ass to make on a one-at-a-time basis. That's why I, and many other people, create multiple starters at once by pressure canning them. If you aren't familiar with pressure canning, it may sound daunting but it really isn't. You just need to understand the key components of the process. So let's get to it!

Making a Yeast Starter

This Homebrew Note assumes you know why pitching adequate yeast is important and how to calculate the appropriate amount of yeast to pitch. If not, read the Note on Calculating How Much Yeast to Pitch first. In this Homewbrew Note, you'll learn how to make a yeast starter for your liquid yeast.

Rehydrating Dry Yeast

After dehydration, dry yeast cells are dormant which helps their shelf life but it isn't so great for fermentation. Rehydration helps revitalize those yeast cells. Think of the rehydration process as your yeast's morning coffee. This Homebrew Note will teach you how to get those yeast active and healthy for an optimal fermentation.