My impressions with this yeast ... Has spicy, earthy esters, especially in the aroma. Pretty clean ester flavor, slightly more esters than WLP001. Mutes the hop flavor slightly, but leaves a crisper, lingering hop bitterness on the back end. Definitely more flocculant than WLP001 -- when I use Cali ale I usually end up filtering, definitely not necessary with this yeast. When the beer is young, it will have an oniony flavor (seems to be the esters), but that seems to age out quickly. Accentuates the "cat piss" flavor and aroma of some American "C" hops.
Overall, it is most similar to Wyeast 1272. I still prefer Wyeast 1272, American Ale II, over this yeast for the beers I have sampled made with it (APA, Lake Walk), but I think it would be an excellent choice for a hoppy American IPA. I will give it another shot next time I brew up one of my IPAs.
In addition to American IPA, I think the ester profile and attenuation of this yeast would be ideally suited to an American Stout or Robust Porter style beer. The alcohol tolerance is listed at 10%, pretty low, so I would avoid using it on any of the imperials. In practice the alcohol tolerance of WLP001 is much greater at about 16%.
Overall, it is most similar to Wyeast 1272. I still prefer Wyeast 1272, American Ale II, over this yeast for the beers I have sampled made with it (APA, Lake Walk), but I think it would be an excellent choice for a hoppy American IPA. I will give it another shot next time I brew up one of my IPAs.
In addition to American IPA, I think the ester profile and attenuation of this yeast would be ideally suited to an American Stout or Robust Porter style beer. The alcohol tolerance is listed at 10%, pretty low, so I would avoid using it on any of the imperials. In practice the alcohol tolerance of WLP001 is much greater at about 16%.