WLP 802 for Marzen?

[mkarpouzie]

Has anyone used WLP 802 for a Marzen? Curious to hear anyone's thoughts on what to expect if I do.

 

[Jag75]

No , sorry . I've used 820 only . Looking at the 802, it has Marzen listed . Hopefully, someone here has tried it and will be better help.

 

[mrcastellino]

Im sure it could make a fine marzen if you managed fermentation appropriately but it wouldn’t be among my top choices. Have you used 802 before? Any reason you are considering a czech strain for a german beer style? In my experience, 802 throws a lot of diacetyl…even when pitched big, cold and with lots of O2. You could probably mitigate it by doing an aggressive 60s temp D rest and/or using ALDC enzyme but why run the risk of residual diacetyl in a beer style where absolutely none is acceptable?
My 2 cents…1st choice would be 835 since its a seasonal release thats out right now and is an awesome all around strain. 2nd - WLP 833 or Wyeast 2206

 

[mkarpouzie]

Im sure it could make a fine marzen if you managed fermentation appropriately but it wouldn’t be among my top choices. Have you used 802 before? Any reason you are considering a czech strain for a german beer style? In my experience, 802 throws a lot of diacetyl…even when pitched big, cold and with lots of O2. You could probably mitigate it by doing an aggressive 60s temp D rest and/or using ALDC enzyme but why run the risk of residual diacetyl in a beer style where absolutely none is acceptable?
My 2 cents…1st choice would be 835 since its a seasonal release thats out right now and is an awesome all around strain. 2nd - WLP 833 or Wyeast 2206

Thanks. I never used 802 before but have it on hand so thought I'd see what others thought about it. I'll look for 833 or 835 for my Marzen.

 

[rtstrider]

I've used 802 in a Pils/Saaz smash. I will say it does have a Czech-iness to it. It has a light slickness you would expect in a Czech pils (think Pilsner Urquell). Outside of that it's a clean yeast. I personally wouldn't use it for a Marzen. Omega Bayern works great and I imagine WLP820 would work well also. A perfect demonstration of what I'm talking about with WLP802 is this beer

https://faubourgbrewery.com/our-beers/faubourg-lager
I don't know if that's what they use but it's darn close. Hopefully that helps!

 

[1Pivoman]

Sounds like a Czech Amber lager in the making....