Hi all, Found these two websites about yeast comparisons, may be useful if your favourite Wyeast or Whitelabs is not available and you need an alternative.
Click http://www.tc.umn.edu/~engla008/yeast.html#White_Labs
and http://home.mindspring.com/~webtunnel/brewersyeast.htm
Hope someone finds them useful, I know I did.
Yeast comparison sites
- Horden Hillbilly
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Yeast comparison sites
Last edited by Horden Hillbilly on Sat Oct 07, 2006 6:47 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Very useful HH.
I've not used Wyeast yet. I've used Whitelabs though and liked it. When I brewed some years ago, liquid yeast was not obviously available to home brewers so it has been interesting (if a little expensive) trying it out.
Perhaps those of you who use Wyeast could answer a question. I've seen they come in these "smack packs" which presumably you smack to get started.
1) Do you know if the yeast is stored in liquid form inside the inner pouch?
2) Do you have to store the Wyeast packs cold like Whitelabs vials?
3) Do you need to make up a started from a Wyeast pack?
The more I learn, the more I realise that the yeast has an enormous effect on the taste of the beer. I'm quite keen to try out some of the other Whitelabs or Wyeast strains.
I've not used Wyeast yet. I've used Whitelabs though and liked it. When I brewed some years ago, liquid yeast was not obviously available to home brewers so it has been interesting (if a little expensive) trying it out.
Perhaps those of you who use Wyeast could answer a question. I've seen they come in these "smack packs" which presumably you smack to get started.
1) Do you know if the yeast is stored in liquid form inside the inner pouch?
2) Do you have to store the Wyeast packs cold like Whitelabs vials?
3) Do you need to make up a started from a Wyeast pack?
The more I learn, the more I realise that the yeast has an enormous effect on the taste of the beer. I'm quite keen to try out some of the other Whitelabs or Wyeast strains.
As far as I know...
1) As far as I know, the Wyeast pouch contains the liquid yeast, plus a little yeast nutrient pack which opens when you smack it, giving the yeast something to eat and hence swelling the pack.
2) Yes, ideally.
3) You don't have to, but it's highly recommended in homebrewing circles. A swollen wyeast pack contains less viable yeast cells than a White Labs pitchable tube, so I would probably make a litre starter for an ale.
I tend to use dry yeast for most ales, then a White Labs with starter for a lager, or something unusual like a Hefeweizen or a Wit, where the yeast makes a big a contribution to the flavour as anything else in the recipe.
1) As far as I know, the Wyeast pouch contains the liquid yeast, plus a little yeast nutrient pack which opens when you smack it, giving the yeast something to eat and hence swelling the pack.
2) Yes, ideally.
3) You don't have to, but it's highly recommended in homebrewing circles. A swollen wyeast pack contains less viable yeast cells than a White Labs pitchable tube, so I would probably make a litre starter for an ale.
I tend to use dry yeast for most ales, then a White Labs with starter for a lager, or something unusual like a Hefeweizen or a Wit, where the yeast makes a big a contribution to the flavour as anything else in the recipe.
If its a 125ml Activator pack then it has about 100 billion yeast cells (the same as White Labs). You would get away without a starter if its fresh. Personally I'd make one anyway.eskimobob wrote:3) Do you need to make up a starter from a Wyeast pack?
If its a 50ml Propogator pack which I think is more prevalent in the UK, it only has 15-18 billion yeast cells, so definitely make a starter.
Does anybody give credence to these lists?
I refered to many such lists whilst looking for a yeast suitable for Adnams Southwold. WLP025 and Wyeast 1335 is the comparison.
WL description; complex fruit & citrus flavours.
Wyeast description; Malty flavour, crisp finish, clean, fairly dry.
Interchangeable
Adnams description of their own beer; 'Distinctively hoppy and dry with wonderful malt aromas.' No fruit then. as I mentioned in my post Wyeast was the obvious choice.
They are more than likely the same bloody yeast anyway](./images/smilies/eusa_wall.gif)
I refered to many such lists whilst looking for a yeast suitable for Adnams Southwold. WLP025 and Wyeast 1335 is the comparison.
WL description; complex fruit & citrus flavours.
Wyeast description; Malty flavour, crisp finish, clean, fairly dry.
Interchangeable

Adnams description of their own beer; 'Distinctively hoppy and dry with wonderful malt aromas.' No fruit then. as I mentioned in my post Wyeast was the obvious choice.
They are more than likely the same bloody yeast anyway
](./images/smilies/eusa_wall.gif)