Brew for WLP002

[SiHoltye]

Hello all,

I've made up a whitelabs Fullers vial with a starter and want to use it later this week. At the same time I was thinking of making a big beer 1.065-ish with my home-grown First Gold hops. Now I know the yeast isn't particularly attenuative so if used in a bigger beer would an all pale malt grain bill prevent the beer ending up too sweet? I've read threads that suggest more attenuative yeasts for higher gravities. It's a brew I plan to age for a few months for drinking in the new year. Alternatively I'll use the yeast in a 95/5% Pale/Crystal 1.045-ish more usual brew for me. Anyone got any thoughts?

[monk]

Well, if you'd like to make the higher gravity brew, you could add some demerara or mash fairly low. I don't think it'd be too bad, ESB is around 1.060 after all.

[SiHoltye]

I'm wondering if my keeness to use this yeast, and my keeness to make a big beer are clouding my making a more sensible decision. Looking through my Coming Next folder I've got Mr Lines Amazing Mild yet to make, so I think I'll do that with the WLP002. Thanks for listening to my ramblings . The JBK crap idea filter works again.

[oblivious]

You could also rouse the yeast a few time to get it to attenuate a little more

[SiHoltye]

Yeah cheers OB, I just don't think WLP002's full potential attenuation is enough for an all malt 1.065 beer. It comes out with a suggested FG 1.017-ish. Sweeter than I wanted, so I'll save the big beer for next time and use WLP001 or summat.

[mysterio]

I think you could easily make a good big beer, but as monk says, include 5-10% sugar or it will just be too heavy and sweet. WLP001 can be a bit boring unless you're using lots of late hops.

[monk]

I'm wondering if my keeness to use this yeast, and my keeness to make a big beer are clouding my making a more sensible decision. Looking through my Coming Next folder I've got Mr Lines Amazing Mild yet to make, so I think I'll do that with the WLP002. Thanks for listening to my ramblings . The JBK crap idea filter works again.

I've made about 6 batches of beer with 002, probably, and the best one by far was Nutty Man Brown Ale from Jamil Z's recipe book. That was delicious and the yeast worked perfectly. Lots of crystal, but a low og of 1.040, i think. Good luck with the mild!