I decided to try out dry yeast since it seems to have come a long way even since I started brewing. I picked up a package of Fermentis Ale us-56, a typical American Ale strain, and a 1 liter Erlenmeyer flask. I figured the cost savings ($1.80 a pack) from using dry yeast twice would cover the cost of a pyrex starter vessel. Plus, I could use the flask to boil, cool, and pitch in – reducing steps and vectors for infection. Win, win!
I pitched the yeast around midnight last night and when I woke up, the little buggers are already hard at work, so it looks like I’ll be brewing this evening.