Novice meadmaker needs yeast advice.

[Keith Bennett]

Hello fellow mead makers. I am in need of a little help concerning the amount of yeast needed for a mead receipe i want to try. i have made only three previous 5 gal. batches 2 O.B. and 1 tupelo. I am new to this site and i am using 'the complete mead maker' by ken schramm as a guide. The next batch I want to make is a Medium show Mead but I only want to make 2 1/2 gal. I am using 7 lbs. of apple honey. The receipe calls for one liter starter of Lalvin d-47 yeast. I assume this would be cut in half for the batch size I want to make? My question is how much yeast to use to make the starter? My previous batches have been pretty cut and dry on yeast amounts. This is my 1st attempt at a yeast starter. Please help.

[wildaho]

Hi Keith and Welcome To The GotMead? World!

Unless you have a really high starting gravity (1.140+), I wouldn't bother with a starter. When properly re-hydrated with GoFerm, and appropriate nutrient additions later, most of the Lalvin yeasts will easily handle gravities to 1.130 and beyond with no starter.

Try a forum search on "yeast rehydration" with "PBakulic" as the author and you'll find all kinds of great info on proper care and feeding of your yeast.


Wade

[Keith Bennett]

Thank you for the direction and help. I hope it turns out well. Look forward to future visits and to learn more from this site and knowledgeable people such as yourself.