House Lager yeast

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by inchrisin, Sep 27, 2013.

Tags:
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. inchrisin

    inchrisin Pooh-Bah (2,013) Sep 25, 2008 Indiana
    Pooh-Bah

    I just got out of my LHBS and picked up a package of SAF lager S 23. I've seen it listed for a few different styles of lagers and I've never used it before. Is this the US 05 or 001 of lagers? I'm also curious if any of you guys who do lagers have a house yeast that you use for most of your lagers, regardless of style. I'm still somewhat new to lagers, but it seems like they are more yeast-driven in the recipe than a lot of ales. Is this true?
     
  2. hopfenunmaltz

    hopfenunmaltz Pooh-Bah (2,647) Jun 8, 2005 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah

    WLP 833 is my usual one. WLP830 for Pilsners.
     
  3. inchrisin

    inchrisin Pooh-Bah (2,013) Sep 25, 2008 Indiana
    Pooh-Bah


    Do you tend to do German beers? :slight_smile:
     
  4. skivtjerry

    skivtjerry Pooh-Bah (1,865) Mar 10, 2006 Vermont
    Pooh-Bah

    The US05/1056/001 of lagers is the 34/70 strain from Germany... WY 2124, not sure about the WL labeling, I think Fermentis sells it as 34/70. As WY says, the most popular commercial lager strain in the world. It works well, but I have to put in a word for WY2007 (yes, the Budweiser yeast!). I've found it extremely forgiving in brews with questionable temperature control, and it's quite tasty when used with a good recipe.

    edit: I've made some nice Baltic porters with S-23 but would not use it for a classic lager.
     
    inchrisin likes this.
  5. herrburgess

    herrburgess Grand Pooh-Bah (3,077) Nov 4, 2009 South Carolina
    Pooh-Bah

  6. inchrisin

    inchrisin Pooh-Bah (2,013) Sep 25, 2008 Indiana
    Pooh-Bah

  7. herrburgess

    herrburgess Grand Pooh-Bah (3,077) Nov 4, 2009 South Carolina
    Pooh-Bah

    Hate to say it, but in my experience it really is that bad. Any way you can return for a refund?
     
  8. utahbeerdude

    utahbeerdude Maven (1,374) May 2, 2006 Utah

    Gordon Strong's standard lager yeast is WLP 833. I used it for my last German pils and really liked it.
     
  9. inchrisin

    inchrisin Pooh-Bah (2,013) Sep 25, 2008 Indiana
    Pooh-Bah


    I was thinking that I'd just mix it into my Wyeast Munich 2308 for my Oktoberfest.
     
  10. pweis909

    pweis909 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,250) Aug 13, 2005 Wisconsin
    Pooh-Bah

    I've used S-23 once. It was OK, but gave off some esters. Nothing offensive, but not too lager-like. If I were to use it again, I'd consider using it in a California Common type.
     
  11. hopfenunmaltz

    hopfenunmaltz Pooh-Bah (2,647) Jun 8, 2005 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah

    I do something like 7 or 8 lagers per year. That has been trending up.

    Edit, those are 10 gallon batches.
     
  12. VikeMan

    VikeMan Grand Pooh-Bah (3,067) Jul 12, 2009 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    I'm not sure what you mean by yeast driven, but IMO the differences between lager strains tend to be less significant than the differences between ale strains.
     
    inchrisin likes this.
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.