Is Whilfloc necessary when using a highly flocculant yeast strain?

[mingo]

I'm brewing a modified Red Ale and plan to use Wyeast London ESB, which is described as being a highly flocculation yeast. Do you think Whirlfloc is necessary?

 

[Waynep005]

Whirfloc is never necessary but can really help. If you are going to let the beer sit in the carboy for a while and cold crash it will not make to much of a defference. I like to use it as an insurance policy more than anything else.

 

[Cbaddad]

Whirlfloc is a protein coagulant and I don't believe that it has an effect on the yeast dropping out of suspension. Time, or a cold crash will do that for you.

I use it.

 

[PeteNMA]

Whirlfloc is more for dropping the trub out in your boil kettle. I've just started using it in the last couple of brews and have noticed a lot more goop left behind in the kettle, and my beers are clearing a lot faster in the primary too.

 

[zacster]

I have a hard time getting things to settle in the kettle, but the Whirlfloc most definitely helps thing settle in the fermentor. I'm always tempted to rack it into a second carboy after it settles for an hour or two after the kettle but before I add yeast.

 

[mingo]

Love this group! Thanks for the responses. So no real downside in using it. I did end up using it and I did notice that the trub had settled out very well, more so than past batches. Plan also to let this brew sit in the primary for at least a month after reading many posts on that subject. Again thanks to all for the responses.