White Labs 860 Munich Helles Lager

I'm pretty excited about this upcoming White Labs platinum strain for March/April.

WLP860 Munich Helles
This yeast helps to produce a malty, but balanced traditional Munich-style lager. Clean and strong fermentor, it's great for a variety of lager styles ranging from Helles to Rauchbier.
Optimal Temp: 48-52F
Flocculation: Medium
Attenuation: 68-72%
Alcohol Tolerance: Medium
(Source: White Labs - New Strains)

I can't help but wonder if it's the Augustiner strain. Pure speculation, of course...

Since Helles is my favorite style, I'll probably do a side-by-side comparison with Weihenstephan 34/70 to see how it behaves.

Sounds interesting. Don't have a WLP vendor around here.

osagedr said:

Sounds interesting. Don't have a WLP vendor around here.

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My LHBS exclusively carries White Labs, so I have to go out of my way to get Wyeast's seasonals. Incidentally, Wyeast 2487 makes a damn fine Helles, too. Maybe I should do a side-by-side-by-side comparison...

I'm in the opposite boat; my LHBS only carries Wyeast, although for lagers I mostly use dry yeast. The LHBS carries only S-23 so I have to get my S-189 and W-34/70 by mail order.

I've never tried the 2487--maybe for next fall's Bock.

osagedr said:

I'm in the opposite boat; my LHBS only carries Wyeast, although for lagers I mostly use dry yeast. The LHBS carries only S-23 so I have to get my S-189 and W-34/70 by mail order.

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Where do you order your S-189? I've never used it, but I've heard Many Good Things. I seem to remember reading a post where Denny Conn endorsed it.

NochEineMassBitte said:

Where do you order your S-189? I've never used it, but I've heard Many Good Things. I seem to remember reading a post where Denny Conn endorsed it.

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I ordered mine from American Brewmaster. I'm just using it for the first time now (currently in d-rest). It sure takes a long time to work compared to W-34/70.

NochEineMassBitte said:

I can't help but wonder if it's the Augustiner strain. Pure speculation, of course...

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No inside info, but based on recommend fermentation temps, probably not. BSI banks this yeast for professional brewers, and as you can see here, they give a range of 52-62 for this strain. WL states 48-52 F.

Was hoping to pick up the WLP860 today at my LHBS, but they didn't have it yet. Bummer. Going to use the Wyeast 2487 instead I guess for this go round Helles.

TriangleIL said:

Was hoping to pick up the WLP860 today at my LHBS, but they didn't have it yet. Bummer. Going to use the Wyeast 2487 instead I guess for this go round Helles.

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Mine just told me they would have it on friday. They told me that last week too though.

Just ordered some from NB.

Changed my plans completely, and I am going to use 2124. I couldn't wait for them to order it by the end of the week. Hope I don't miss out on a great yeast for the style.

I picked up two vials of the new strain from the LHBS, so now I just have to free up a fermentor, and it'll be time to check it out.

Brewed up 10gals today mainly for a kolsch but I split it in half and used the other 5 gals for a Dortmunder and used this yeast. I will say this is the first white labs yeast I've ever got that the vial was almost all yeast slurry, I was impressed.

Anyone have any results with this strain yet?