Porter Yeast Question - 3 Choices

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by Jake_Ramrod, Nov 24, 2016.

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  1. Jake_Ramrod

    Jake_Ramrod Initiate (0) Feb 19, 2013 Kentucky

    Here's the deal. I am in the process of brewing a porter as I type this and I need some help in choosing my yeast. I am splitting this porter into two fermentors that are roughly three gallons with separate additions in each and I also want to put a different yeast in each one. One will be a bourbon barrel porter using oak cubes soaked in bourbon as well as the bourbon itself and the other will be a coconut and chocolate porter with unsweetened cocoa and toasted unsweetened coconut. My three yeast choices I have on hand are S-04, S-05, and Windsor. Your thoughts?
     
  2. Jake_Ramrod

    Jake_Ramrod Initiate (0) Feb 19, 2013 Kentucky

    I was just a bit low on my expected OG at 1.060 instead of the 1.065 that the initial recipe called for. Of course, I was also a gallon high. I added a few ounces of DME to try to get it there, but I just missed unfortunately. With that being said, my initial thoughts were to use the S-05 on the Chocolate Coconut to get the alcohol up a bit and highlight the additions and the Windsor on the Oak and Bourbon since I'll be adding some bourbon to it anyway. But, I'm certainly open to suggestions.
     
  3. CADETS3

    CADETS3 Initiate (0) Dec 3, 2014 Texas

    I love US-05. Especially because it's such a clean and neutral high tolerance yeast. It's used probably in 50-60% of the things I've ever made. Seeing that you're adding quite a bit of adjuncts to both, I'd go with the clean yeast route, US-05.
     
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  4. DrMindbender

    DrMindbender Initiate (0) Jul 13, 2014 South Carolina

    If you like clean porters, go with 05...but I'd use the 04 and Windsor in them for more character.

    I use Windsor in my Chocolate Coconut Porter and have never been disappointed...use the Windsor there and the 04 with the barrel aged IMO. If you want to be safe, sure, use the 05...but is homebrewing really about playing it safe???
     
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  5. Jake_Ramrod

    Jake_Ramrod Initiate (0) Feb 19, 2013 Kentucky

    Well, last night I thought that I was going to use the Windsor on the Coconut because I envisioned it as a bit of a sweeter beer and I thought the Windsor may accentuate that a bit. I don't know as I have never actually used it. I was a little worried with my OG being only at 1.060 though. So, I thought about switching to the S-05 to try to get a bit more ABV out of it. Decisions, decisions.........
     
    #5 Jake_Ramrod, Nov 25, 2016
    Last edited: Nov 25, 2016
  6. Jake_Ramrod

    Jake_Ramrod Initiate (0) Feb 19, 2013 Kentucky

    Gonna go with the Doctor on this one. Thanks for the advice guys. Can't go against a melting Steal Your Face though. Jerry didn't raise no fool.
     
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  7. DrMindbender

    DrMindbender Initiate (0) Jul 13, 2014 South Carolina

    Neither did JB or Houser :wink:
     
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