Dry yeast for German pilsner?

[kiwipen]

Can dry yeast be used to make a good German pilsner? Or should liquid yeast be used?

If dry yeast can be used, which types do you recommend?

 

[Steveruch]

S-34/70.

 

[beerlover77]

S-34/70.

What steve said

 

[sonic7173]

+1

 

[ebbelwoi]

w34/70 is even better. Seriously, though, it's pretty much the gold standard. I also like Fermentis S-189. I've had success with both at warmer temps (low-mid 60s). At the moment, I slightly prefer S-189, but it's much harder to find.

 

[BruceH]

Did anyone recommend Fermentis 34/70 or S-189?

 

[VirginiaHops1]

I'm doing my first pilsner soon with 34/70. I heard it doesn't suck

 

[brewbama]

Mangrove Jack’s Bavarian Lager is good IMO

 

[Dland]

I Use S-189 and 34/70 regularly, both are good. 34/70 seems more tolerant of less than optimal fermenting temps, and S-189 tastes a little cleaner.

 

[Mer-man]

Liquid yeast should be used if you want a specific character. I like the Czech strains.

 

[passedpawn]

S-189.

 

[mabrungard]

34/70 and S189 are excellent. S189 requires more lagering time than 34/70.

 

[dpeters]

I am making a German Pils today with 34/70 and am using 1 pack for 2.5 gallons and when it is done I will use that yeast to brew a 10 gal batch for my Festbier. 34/70 is a good all round choice for dry lager yeast. Here are some interesting comparison...

http://brulosophy.com/2017/01/19/ye...-w-3470-vs-saflager-s-23-exbeeriment-results/

http://brulosophy.com/2016/12/15/ye...w-3470-vs-saflager-s-189-exbeeriment-results/

http://brulosophy.com/2016/07/21/ye...wlp833-german-bock-lager-exbeeriment-results/

 

[kiwipen]

So it seems like you guys (and gals?) like 34/70 and S189.

How much should I use for about 20 liters of 1045 wort?

 

[Dland]

I'd say 1 packet. I know some folks here would say that is not enough, but in my experience it is. I use one or two for 10 gallon batches.

 

[ebbelwoi]

So it seems like you guys (and gals?) like 34/70 and S189.

How much should I use for about 20 liters of 1045 wort?

General consensus seems to be that you should use 2 11-gram packets. Mr. Malty seems to agree: http://mrmalty.com/calc/calc.html

 

[Lefou]

w34/70 is even better. Seriously, though, it's pretty much the gold standard. I also like Fermentis S-189. I've had success with both at warmer temps (low-mid 60s). At the moment, I slightly prefer S-189, but it's much harder to find.

WLP800 and WLP802 Czech Lager - also good liquid alternatives. S189 is ALWAYS available at my homebrew shop.
What I can never seem to find is the German liquid yeasts. If I want to drive to north Jersey Love2Brew usually has the Wyeast alternatives I want ... but if you're looking for dry lager yeast I agree with the S189 choice, definitely.

 

[kiwipen]

I thought you'd need more than 2 packages of yeast.

According to brewers friend I'll need 4 packages for 20 liter of 1050 wort.

https://www.brewersfriend.com/yeast-pitch-rate-and-starter-calculator/#cells_per_gram

It claims that Saflager S-189 has 9 billion cells per gram, and that MR malty claims dry yeast has 20 billion cells per gram.

 

[Dland]

You could go by your"calcualtor" or the mfg's instructions. I'm looking at a 11.5g packet of S-189 and it says: "dosage 11.5g in 20-30 liters". it has always worked for me, but it is your money.

Probably will not hurt beer by over pitching, but over pitching is over rated from my experience.

 

[Silver_Is_Money]

Nottingham ale yeast fermented at 52 degrees F. would come seriously close to duplicating a lager yeast for cleanness. Lallemand states that it is acceptable to ferment with Nottingham at as low as 50 degrees F.

OTOH, virtually no one seems to discuss Lallemand's dry lager yeast.

 

[mabrungard]

OTOH, virtually no one seems to discuss Lallemand's dry lager yeast.

Indeed you're correct. I see that they only have one lager yeast (Diamond). I haven't heard anyone mention its use, good or bad.

 

[Steveruch]

Indeed you're correct. I see that they only have one lager yeast (Diamond). I haven't heard anyone mention its use, good or bad.

I saw a post claiming it's a version of S-34/70.

 

[brewbama]

Dup

 

[Silver_Is_Money]

I saw a post claiming it's a version of S-34/70.

Did you mean to say W-34/70.

 

[Soulshine2]

So it seems like you guys (and gals?) like 34/70 and S189.

How much should I use for about 20 liters of 1045 wort?

1 should be enough

 

[brewbama]

So it seems like you guys (and gals?) like 34/70 and S189.

How much should I use for about 20 liters of 1045 wort?

Slightly more than one to two according to Fermentis Tips and Tricks:

 

[Steveruch]

Indeed you're correct. I see that they only have one lager yeast (Diamond). I haven't heard anyone mention its use, good or bad.

I read somewhere that it's the same strain as S-34/70.

 

[Steveruch]

Did you mean to say W-34/70.

No.

 

[BrewerBrad82]

No.

It is indeed W-34/70

https://fermentis.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/SafLager-W-3470.pdf

 

[eulipion2]

Indeed you're correct. I see that they only have one lager yeast (Diamond). I haven't heard anyone mention its use, good or bad.

It's my current favorite dry lager strain! It ferments fast and clean, and drops clear super quick. I've done two rauchbiers, a Vienna, a doppelbock, and a schwarzbier with it. I've read that it's tolerant of higher temps like 34/70, but I haven't tried that yet. Overall I'm really impressed with Diamond Lager and recommend it highly! Barring that, I've had good luck with W-34/70, S-189, and the Mangrove Jack strains as well.