Dry yeast for Scotch Ale

Hey guys,
I'm looking for a good dry yeast to use in a McEwan's AG clone I'm brewing for a friend's dad. I generally go US05 in the IPAs I brew...hell in almost anything I brew. I've never done a scotch ale though, so I don't know what to use. S04 British ale yeast? US05? Help me, help me!

I'd use US05 or Nottingham. You want something without a lot of esters. Also, you'll want to ferment cool.

afr0byte said:

I'd use US05 or Nottingham. You want something without a lot of esters. Also, you'll want to ferment cool.

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Great, thank you for the tip! I don't know much about the style in general, admittedly. I appreciate the info.

You're welcome. Also, keep in mind that you'll want more than one pack of yeast for a beer the size of McEwans (see www.yeastcalc.com).

Moody_Copperpot said:

Great, thank you for the tip! I don't know much about the style in general, admittedly. I appreciate the info.

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US-05 at 62. And lots of malt.

IF you can ferment cool (60-62) I'd maybe consider using S-04 as it leaves behind a maltier profile than US-05. Otherwise use 05 and adjust grain bill and especially your mash temps up to get more unfermentables for that malty finish.

KraphtBier said:

IF you can ferment cool (60-62) I'd maybe consider using S-04 as it leaves behind a maltier profile than US-05. Otherwise use 05 and adjust grain bill and especially your mash temps up to get more unfermentables for that malty finish.

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I actually did a side by side with the S-04 and the US-05 on a scotch ale recently fermented at 62. In double blind controlled taste tests the US-05 won by a margin of 3 to 1. Sorry.

Kidding both were good. S-04 yes a little more estery maybe what you want maybe not. It was a pretty big scotch ale I called it the Wee Wee Scotch ale it was so Wee.

You are right the US-05 will finish dryer. Probably mash at 156-8 would be interesting.