Choosing Yeasts

[Niall K]

How does one choose what yeast to buy when brewing a beer? I find it so confusing when ordering yeast with so much to choose from. I am going to try a few of Marc Ollosson’s recipes which are all bitters and ales. Liquid yeast would be my choice of preference. I know you would choose ale yeast but which ones?

Thanks
Niall

[steve_flack]

Any particular reason with wanting a liquid one? I know there's more variety and generally they offer a more interesting range of flavours but the convenience of dried is great, it's cheap, you don't need a starter and you get quick starts.

Some of the dried yeasts are fairly distinctive in flavour - some people really don't like Safale S-04 for example but there's also S-33, US-05, Nottingham/Gervin, Windsor and probably others to try.

Having said that

WY 1968/WLP-002 - Fullers
WY 1275 Brakspear...maybe.
WLP-006 Charles Wells
WLP-022 Ridleys
WLP-025 Adnams
WLP-039 Same as Nottingham dry?

[Niall K]

Any particular reason with wanting a liquid one?

The only reason why I prefere liquid yeast is that I taught they are superier to dry yeast. I stand to be corrected on that one because I am relatively new to home brewing.

If I am brewing an ale from the Townes Brewery, how would you choose the yeast. Its Townes Brewery IPA.

Thanks
Niall

[mysterio]

I would definately start off with Safale SO4 for an ale, I think it produces excellent results - definately my first choice for any English ale. For liquid, I like WLP002 English Ale and WLP005 British Ale, but I wouldnt call either 'better' than Safale SO4 for my tastes, just different. I had pretty poor results with Wyeast 1275, but that's probably the brewers fault rather than the yeast.

[steve_flack]

I had pretty poor results with Wyeast 1275, but that's probably the brewers fault rather than the yeast.

I hope it's your fault as I've got a pack of that in the fridge!