Conan Yeast Alternative?

[Vamptrump]

Unfortunately I don't live anywhere near where I can harvest a Conan yeast strain (can't get Heady here), and I didn't know of this magical strain until it was too late to order online in time for brew day this weekend.

Does anyone know of a good, easily obtainable from a LHBS, yeast strain that might be comparable? Guy at the LHBS recommended WLP008 East Coast Ale Yeast, but this doesn't seem anywhere near the Conan Vermont Ale strains. I might be wrong though, as I've never used either strain.

Any inputs? Thanks.

 

[AK7007]

The Yeast Bay and Giga Yeast both offer Vermont ale, which is Conan. I keep a plate of the Yeast Bay version handy at all times.

EDIT: I'm just now seeing that you are wanting something that your LHBS has, which is hard to say since I'm not from OH. I will say though that my LHBS has the Giga Yeast version, which probably doesn't really help you.

 

[Vamptrump]

Yeah that's the problem I'm having right now. My LHBS can't get ahold of the yeast from The Yeast Bay or Giga Yeast. They've been trying, but they claimed that they aren't distributing to LHBSs. Which appears to be a false given yours at least has the Giga strain.

 

[mpmccann]

Not sure it is the same as Conan but I substituted White Labs - (WPL008 East Coast Ale Yeast) in the past.
I can't get Heady where I am at either.

 

[m00ps]

WY1318 seems to come close:
http://www.bear-flavored.com/2014/08/perfecting-already-good-recipes-and.html

But i'd just buy either the Omega Yeast, RVA yeast, or Gigayeast version from an online store. Farmhosue brewing is my go-to and theyve got Omega and Giga in stock. Its a seriously awesome yeast for IPAs. Higher attenuating, but also gives a silky mouthfeel and peachy flavor thats awesome with new fruity hops

 

[Vamptrump]

I think I might end up using my WLP008 that I bought. I'll have to make sure to order a Conan strain next time well in advance.

 

[ddrrseio]

gigayeast product has the benefit of being a much higher cell count, too, so you're getting a great value from them.

 

[bobbrews]

What are you brewing? An IIPA?

If so, I would just go with WLP001, WLP007, Wyeast 1272 or their equivalents. You won't get that peachy Conan character, but it will be a hell of a lot better for this style than taking a chance on an obscure strain, or choosing a Belgian strain.

 

[Vamptrump]

What are you brewing? An IIPA?

If so, I would just go with WLP001, WLP007, Wyeast 1272 or their equivalents. You won't get that peachy Conan character, but it will be a hell of a lot better for this style than taking a chance on an obscure strain, or choosing a Belgian strain.

It's for the Peach IPA discussed earlier this week.

 

[masonsjax]

There are a lot of places online to get the Conan strain these days. It's a unique yeast, definitely worth trying out. It will be different than everything else that's comparable. It might cost a little extra with shipping, but once you have it you can farm/harvest so you never need to buy it again. Maybe someone in a local brew club has some they could share with you?

 

[bobbrews]

It's for the Peach IPA discussed earlier this week.

Wyeast 1272 then.

 

[carvetop]

I'd be willing to trade fresh Heady (culture your own Conan) for Fat Head's Head Hunter if you can get it. PM if interested.

 

[beardown2489]

Either ^this guy is awesome or he's up to no good!

 

[carvetop]

I'm awesome. And I love Head Hunter!

 

[bierhaus15]

Conan is the ncyc 1188 culture. It is extremely similar to another widely used culture you can probably get at any lhbs. Ringwood... 1187.

Interestingly, both yeasts behave very similarly and have almost identical fermentation properties when fermented under lab conditions. Flavor wise they are similar given adequate o2 and time for diacetyl reduction.

Both yeasts were banked in 1960 from the same collection, of which it was common to bank the individual strains that made up one working yeast culture. Lots of ncyc cultures are like that... 1098 Whitbread b, 1099 Whitbread a, ect. You get the drift...