PurePitch® Next Generation: Yeast Pitching Calculator

Yeast Pitching Calculator

Have you seen or used our PurePitch^® Next Generation Pouches? 

Do you still have some questions about what is printed on the pouch and how much to use? If the recommendations confuse you a little bit, or you just want to dig into some of the science behind it, keep reading!

Same Size, Same Cell Count

Our PurePitch^® Next Generation’s modular size fits perfectly with the advancements we have made in precise and consistent cell concentrations. Each lot is cultured and harvested with specific specifications to ensure each pouch arrives with a consistent and precise cell count. Making all strains and lots you’re getting the same amount of cells in each and every pouch! 

PurePitch Next Generation is designed to pitch at 7.5 million cells/mL, a commercially recommended pitching rate for standard ale ranges. 

Learn More About PurePitch^Ⓡ Next Generation

Brewing Made EASY

Our easy recommendations work for most fermentations. We wanted to help factor in the cell count math for you. With a modular size, scaling up is easy at an industry recommended pitch rate.

We recommend doubling your pitch rate when starting your fermentation below 61℉/16℃ or at a higher gravity of 18P or higher.

If your fermentation has both, we recommend tripling your pitch rate. These are due to some important factors explained below.

colder temperature affect cell growth

The most important reason is that colder temperatures inhibit yeast activity to some extent, resulting in reduced or slower cell growth. Slower cell growth can cause longer fermentation timelines, varying flavor profiles, and most commonly a stuck fermentation. To prevent this, we recommend pitching more yeast to ensure complete fermentation. This means increasing your pitch rate to 12+ million cells/mL versus the standard 7.5 million cells/mL.

Check out our Lager Tips & Tricks

Why Pitch More With High-Gravity Brews

Higher gravity brews provide a higher stress environment for yeast cells. Not only is the wort viscous and challenging to reach adequate DO (dissolved oxygen) levels, but higher gravity fermentations also need the healthiest yeast possible to withstand the higher alcohol levels. To overcome this challenge, more yeast is required for robust and reliable fermentation. 

Check Out Our Research On High Gravity Brewing

Check out our Lager Tips & Tricks

Risk of Underpitching/Overpitching

Underpitching

• Underpitching gives more room for yeast cells to grow and reproduce, therefore creating more yeast-derived flavor in the beer. This can work well in styles such as wheats, belgians, and saisons. 
• Underpitching can also lead to stalled fermentations and inadequate clean-up of “off” flavors in the beer maturation phase
• With more yeast growth, there will be more cell growth leading to mutations such as flocculation characteristics

Overpitching

• Overpitching leads to less cell growth and less yeast-derived flavor
• Overpitching can also lead to sluggish fermentations over multiple generations, as with less cell growth means an older yeast cell generation for subsequent batches.
  • ​See the graph below as fermentation speed degrades through subsequent batches with different pitch rates

Fool-Proof Fermentation

Still unsure how much to use?  We have you covered there too! Our online yeast calculator provides an easy way to find and customize your pitching rate. 

Input your batch size, pitching temperature, and starting gravity, and let the calculator give you the optimal pitching rate and the number of pouches needed. Perfect Your Own Pitch Rate

Are you looking for a specific pitch rate? Do you want to under-pitch for a kveik fermentation or pitch a lager fermentation at a higher rate such as 1.5 million cells/mL/°Plato?

Our calculator also provides an advanced button where you can customize the pitch rate by moving the Pitching Slider to your perfect pitching rate, larger or smaller!

With PurePitch^Ⓡ Next Generation, we made it easier by giving you the customization to create your own fool-proof fermentation!