Liquid Yeast and small batches

[mumblecrunch]

For various reasons I'm looking to do some small batches; one of those reasons is to do some experimentation with yeast.

According to the Mr. Malty Yeast Calculator™ for a 1 gallon batch with reasonably fresh yeast (<1 month old) in a 1.055-ish wort, I'd almost never need more than 1 vial/smackpack. In fact, most of the time I'd probably only need half of that.

I'd be afraid that a 2x pitch would be at the very least verging on overpitching, but I also don't want to throw out perfectly good yeast.

My question is, would folks recommend making a small starter from the whole vial/pack, say 500mL, then pitching a portion of that and reserving the rest in a sterilized mason jar for later use, or would it be better to try to pitch half a vial and pitch the rest into a small starter for storage? The former seems like I'd be way overpitching a starter (would I be better making a 1L or 2L starter and throwing out some of it?), but the latter seems more prone to error (pitching half a vial).

[RubberToe]

How often will you be brewing? You could make a 1.5 - 2L starter and divide it up into smaller mason jars. Either that or make a small starter every time and save half to build your next one every time.

[mumblecrunch]

How often will you be brewing? You could make a 1.5 - 2L starter and divide it up into smaller mason jars. Either that or make a small starter every time and save half to build your next one every time.

At this point I'm lucky if I can do a full size brew more than once a month (part of the reason for smaller experiments) so a 2L starter from a full pack will likely give me 4 portions to use. If I want to try several yeasts that adds up in fridge space pretty quick unless I'm able to use them. At the same time, the second method gives a smaller yield but is more prone to errors in my estimation.

I suppose I could also look to give away some extra if I end up with it hanging around.

At this point I'm thinking I might as well try both options and see how they work out.

[GAM]

Team up with another brewer and make starters for them.

Sandy

[KMcK]

You need to connect with your local Yeast God and get a sample every time he makes a starter with a new yeast.