Liquid or dry yeast

[twilbrew247]

Any suggestions? Pros/cons...

I'm brewing my first batch with liquid Wyeast 1056 American Ale.

Noticed in transit it had been activated. Is there benefits to using liquid over dry?

 

[JasonToews]

liquid yeast provides alot more flavor to your beer, for example, a nice belgian hef yeast provides alot of the banana/clove flavors where dry yeast it wont.

 

[jigidyjim]

Go about 4-5 posts down on this sticky: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f39/vs-pro-con-analysis-109318/

There is no general pro/con - it depends on what kind of beer you are making. For Wyeast 1056 - you will find people that swear by it over dry us-05 and vice versa. Best advice - try them both and decide what works for you

 

[twilbrew247]

Cool...that helps

 

[gmcastil]

In addition to what the others said, you should definitely consider making a yeast starter, particularly since it sounds like your yeast was shipped.

A great article to read on making yeast starters and pitching rates in general can be found here:

http://www.mrmalty.com/pitching.php

In general, making yeast starters is something I do prior to every batch if I'm using a liquid yeast. If I'm using a dry yeast, I rehydrate it prior to pitching. You will find that plenty of homebrewers do neither and are satisfied with their results. IMHO, proper yeast pitching rates and temperature controlled fermentation are the most significant contributors to making excellent homebrew.

 

[twilbrew247]

In addition to what the others said, you should definitely consider making a yeast starter, particularly since it sounds like your yeast was shipped.

A great article to read on making yeast starters and pitching rates in general can be found here:

http://www.mrmalty.com/pitching.php

In general, making yeast starters is something I do prior to every batch if I'm using a liquid yeast. If I'm using a dry yeast, I rehydrate it prior to pitching. You will find that plenty of homebrewers do neither and are satisfied with their results. IMHO, proper yeast pitching rates and temperature controlled fermentation are the most significant contributors to making excellent homebrew.

As I look back over the directions for this recipe, I see they recommended making a yeast starter. I didn't and the OG was only 1.064, but I came very close to hitting my 7% ABV anyway.

 

[jigidyjim]

As I look back over the directions for this recipe, I see they recommended making a yeast starter. I didn't and the OG was only 1.064, but I came very close to hitting my 7% ABV anyway.

A yeast starter isn't just so that you make sure you hit your FG - your pitch rate effects the taste of the beer. Specifically things like ester production.

Congrats on the brew, hope you enjoy it!