Starter for Lagers

That's another of those "religious" issues! :)

Most folks say it is best to ferment the starter at lager temps, but plenty others say they get excellent results starting at room temp. So it seems to me that you can do whatever is easiest for you, with the idea that lager temp. starters might be ideal.

Watch extreme temp changes on the yeast, whatever you do, tho'... ie. pitch your 68F starter into your fermenter at about 68F and slowly step the temp down to 55F over time. It seems that cooler yeast into warmer wort might be OK, but warmer yeast into cooler wort is probably NOT OK (hope I got that right? :).

I prefer to make lager starters at room temps...after all, you're growing yeast, not making beer. Just be sure to decant the spent wort before pitching.

----------->Denny