Just running a crazy thought by my fellow homebrewers, spinning in my mind from recent conversation about making a neutral beer at higher temps with lager yeast. Tagging @JackHorzempa and @premierpro for their contributions in that thread. Anyway, is there a lager yeast that is suitable as a dual purpose yeast to make lagers and fairly neutral "ales" (eg American pales, etc)? If you have tried it with what yeast strains? temperatures? results? The two potential candidates that jump out to me are WY 2112 and WY 2124 because of their wide temperature range.
Right now I am using Mangrove California "Lager" yeast in my MOktober. Here is the marketing copy: "A unique lager strain that has the ability to ferment at ale temperatures without the associated off flavours. Extended lagering periods are also not required. Suitable for California Common and any lager fermented at ambient (ale) temperatures." http://mangrovejacks.com/products/californian-lager-m54-yeast-10g Its been chugging along in the fermenter for 5 days now, far longer than any other yeast I've used.
I have not tried this yet myself, but Brulosophy exbeeriments have shown repeatedly that the W-34/70 strain performs as well or even better warm as it does cold. http://brulosophy.com/2016/02/08/fe...ager-yeast-saflager-3470-exbeeriment-results/ http://brulosophy.com/2016/04/18/fe...ager-yeast-saflager-3470-exbeeriment-results/ Currently I'm fermenting two Marzens at 55 F with WLP830 (so, just slightly on the warm end). I'll know in another week or so how clean that works.
I read something on brulosophy that WLP820 was really good at 70 F. It was pretty damn close to fermenting at lager temperatures.
Ew, yuck. That's not saying much. It's no big secret that dmtaylor absolutely hates that yeast. https://www.google.com/webhp?source...=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=dmtaylo2+WLP820&filter=0
I have pitched 34/70 in a pale ale. Very clean beer with subdued hop flavor. Even though it was not a bad beer I prefer an Ale yeast for a pale ale. Good luck.
I think you would probably have better luck getting something more dual purpose with koelsch yeast. In my experience, it is closer to in between ale and lager profile than any lager strain.
I've used WY2565 and WY1007 a lot but would not use either for an American style ale. 2565 has a noticeable "white wine" flavor and 1007 won't drop clear without lagering
Honestly, your lager yeast are going to be way too clean for any typical American Ale. You may not realize how many esters Cal Ale still produces until you try to use a lager yeast for it.
