I’ve recently taken up the brewing hobby and I’m eager to learn as much as I can. So far I’ve learned quite a bit from you guys and I hope you can teach me more.
This maybe a rookie question but how come there are so many varieties of yeast? From what I’ve been taught/read, there are only two different types which are Ale and Lager yeast. However, when I scroll through the NB yeast inventory, I see Saison yeast, bourbon yeast, American wheat, London Ale, British Ale, etc.
Also, how does one know which yeast to use when experimenting with a new wort?
Different yeasts can easily affect the flavor and body of the beer. You choose a yeast based on its flavor contribution and the style of beer you’re making. Making a saison? Use a saison yeast. Making a kolsch? Use a kolsch yeast.
The basic families of Ale and Lager yeast are a fairly general classification- and recognize the differences in how they do their work. Beyond that, each varient strain has it’s own unique qualities.
If you were to brew wort and ferment it 30 different ways with 30 different yeasts, every one would be unique, and would vary from similar, to noticably different, to not even close to the same beer at all.
There are lots of ways to approach experimentation. I personnaly take a fairly conservative route. Find a style I want to make and like to drink. Find a few yeasts that might work well. Over the course of time try each with fairly similar recipes (I would tend to tweek the recies each time to perfect that as well.) From that I might find one that I prefer from that group. Then move on to a different type of beer/ yeast.
I have tried splitting larger batches in 2 or 3 and used 2 or 3 different yeasts. That is pretty common practice for a lot of people.
I like Beersmith, but others suggest Promash or freebies. Just depends on what you want to do with recipes. It is a small investment for a valuable tool, IMHO.
Some companies offer style guides for their yeast which you may find helpful. You can then dive into the individual yeast characteristics to see what the yeast offers and what temps it prefers. I like the way Wyeast organizes its info.
[quote=“Hades”]Some companies offer style guides for their yeast which you may find helpful. You can then dive into the individual yeast characteristics to see what the yeast offers and what temps it prefers. I like the way Wyeast organizes its info.
