ale yeast

[sashurlow]

So I've read that Ale yeasts are good for cider. The only problem is which one. White Labs has 38 varieties alone.
Any suggestions...
Scott

 

[gratus fermentatio]

Nottingham & S-04 seem to be the most popular strains, but any ale yeast will work. You'll get different results with different strains, read the yeast strain profile/description & think about what it will do in a cider. CivilleKevin has done some great research with cider, yeast & sugar, you can read his results here: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f32/results-juice-yeast-sugar-experiments-83060/ Hope that helps, Regards, GF.

 

[sashurlow]

I definately read CivilleKevins post. Full of info, but then again, he has kegging equipment, so its not completely useful for those of us who must bottle.
White Labs sells a Nottingham yeast as do other companies. Does is matter which one?

 

[gratus fermentatio]

Fermentis Safeale S-04, I get it at the LHBS in town, if yours doesn't carry it you can always get it online: http://www.austinhomebrew.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=ale+yeast
Regards, GF.

 

[CidahMastah]

Also worthy of note with his experiments is the presence or lack of presence of malolactic fermentation. This further complicates how a yeast performs and what the end product is. I noticed a lot of the flavor profiles he described early on in his experimentation described those flavors associated with malolactic fermenation. Yet some people would rave about the fruity flavors produced from the same wine/champagne yeasts. Likely he had some of his ciders malolacticly fermenting and some not. Producing vastly different ciders.

I think that while he has done some serious work in testing yeast strands, you still shouldn't hesitate trying a strain. I routinely produce great cider from L-1118, which he doesn't like all that much. There is definitely an art to cider making, so I think learning how to use the yeast is just as important as what strain. Not to mention.... your own personal tastes

 

[Calder]

Any ale yeast will do fine. Nottingham is a good cheap dry yeast. Difficult to go wrong.

 

[CvilleKevin]

It depends on the blend of juice that you are starting with, but it is hard to go wrong with Notty or S04. US05 is also good and and Brupak Ale yeast is great for cider. If you like it really dry then a champange yeast like L1118 isnt bad. I used that for years and its nice and clean, but most of my friends and girlfriend didnt think much of the hooch I made until I switched to ale yeast, which leaves a lot more apple taste. If you are looking for something in the semi-dry to semi-sweet range, you generally want a yeast with low attenuation and high flocculation.

 

[bmd2k1]

Bringing this Ale yeasts thread back to life in the hopes that peeps have more current feedback on the Ale yeasts they like the most, what you like about it, yadda yadda [emoji3]

I'm using WYeast 1272 - American Ale II for my very first cider batch -- and have my eyes on S-04 for my next one.

Cheers!

 

[dmtaylor]

US-05 is good. Notty is okay. S-04 is not great. All in my own experience.

Several years ago, Zymurgy magazine I think did a comparison of lots of different yeasts in cider. The favorite was Scottish ale yeast, WLP028 or Wyeast 1728. I used this one too and enjoyed it, but still not as much as good ole US-05.

 

[bmd2k1]

Here's a copy of the AHA cider ale yeast testing report...

https://drive.google.com/file/d/14_QaKOHKVJIHdPvKwUb_bOmi0h7dMrKy/view?usp=drivesdk

 

[bmd2k1]

Here's a different test Whitelabs ran in 2013 for 6 of their different ale yeasts...

https://www.whitelabs.com/beer/cider

 

[toms_Jeep]

I have use L-1118, Cider House cider yeast, S-04 and US-05.
US-05 is the one I like and us the most.

 

[gratus fermentatio]

I might have to try that "Nordic" blend!

 

[johnnyseko]

I might have to try that "Nordic" blend!

In the vault - I ordered some a month or so ago....still 81 orders until shipping. It sounds great!