Good dry yeasts for low temps

[jwalk4]

Hey guys,


I will be spending my first winter in my new house this year, and my basement (where my wort becomes beer) is currently at a chilly 58 degrees. I assume it will get even colder in winter's deep freeze.

I currently use dry yeasts exclusively. What dry ale yeasts perform well at lower temps (in the mid to high 50's)?

Or should I just brew lagers with S-23? and carry my brew bucket upstairs where it is warmer for a D rest?

 

[permo]

US-05 will be just fine at that temp, it will just take longer. The same goes for nottingham

 

[Sammy86]

S-04 did well for me at 58-60...remember inside the bucket will be 5-10 degrees warmer because of the fermentation...I usually ferment on the cooler side to begin with and I get a nice clean profile from doing so.

 

[jwalk4]

Interesting.

It's reassuring that you had good experiences with ale yeasts at those low temps. I'm not so much worried about the primary fermentation stage (known to raise temps a few degrees), but I am worried about the yeast going dormant early and the FG finishing too high.

 

[dmtaylor]

I second the motion for either US-05 or Notty, both work great in the cold.

If it gets much colder, into the 40s or low 50s, also try W-34/70, which is actually a lager yeast and a very good one.