Lager Yeasts at Ale Temps - Experiences

When I brewed with W34/70 in the low 60F, it wasn't very lager-like, but only because it tasted as if the yeast hardly contributed at all. It was really quite bland.

 

I brew a CAP once a year and my preferred yeast for this beer is Wyeast 2124. I personally have only fermented cool with this yeast (e.g. low-mid 50's) but I have read quite a bit where folks have fermented lagers with 2124 warm (in the 60's) with great results.

Based upon my results and what I have read I would suggest that you use 2124 (fermented in the 60s) for your CAP beer.

Cheers!

 

I have not fermented lagers at ale temps, but I know a guy who is a fairly accomplished homebrewer that swears by it...I might have to give it a try soon just to see for myself.

 

If you are looking for hop flavor and aroma I suggest that you use more hops or a different yeast. When I have made split batches with any Czech strain and the 34/70 there is a big difference. The 34/70 strain subdues hop flavor and aroma. I have a split batch of Pils lagering right now that has the Budvar strain and the S-189. First pils with the S-189 looking forward to see how this does. Take care.

 

If you were to brew a CAP with Munich II and submit it to a BJCP competition, you might be dinged for uncharacteristic esters, but personally, for home drinking and sharing with friends, I would recommend it. Global is good if you want to go with the classic strain, but it really is bland in my experience. Global is what we used for a contract brewery at my last brewery when they wanted to recreate an old 1950's recipe from Memphis.

 

What esters do you associate with it? Augustiner Helles always seems so clean in Munich.

WLP-940 is the cleanest lager yeast I know. Split a batch of CAP between it and 833, as the 833 was more "German", the 940 was boringly clean.

 

Fermented in the 60's, I always get a slight red apple (ethyl-hexanoate). That is why I start cooler for the first half of fermentation and do a somewhat high pitch rate. I actually do get a little bit of it in Augustiner Helles, but I also don't think that "estery" and "clean" are mutually exclusive, it just has to be appropriate levels of esters.