Muntons dry ale yeast... Yea or Ney?

[Brewskii]

It's the cheapest stuff out there and available in every kit that includes yeast because of it. Anyone have good reasons on either side for or against this yeast?
I would like to know what you think because I thought I did not like this one and now I am not so sure and I want to see if anyone had some of the same issues I did.

 

[ajf]

The regular Muntons yeast is not recommended for fermenting beers made without simple sugars. Check out the Muntons web site. I'd spend a bit more and get a quality product from Fermentis or Danstar.

-a.

 

[Brewskii]

This is the default yeast in most of the ales at Midwest and do not use refined sugars as adjuncts. I used it in an Irish red extract kit and I have a friend who use it in an amber kit of theres. Both of our beers attenuated by the 3'rd day.
With that kind of runaway fermentation I did not think that the esters produced would ever diminish. The bubble gum and juicyfruit esters were bad at first but after around 3 weeks bottle conditioning it seems to have gone away and I am liking how it turned out. Did I just rush it?

 

[commonsenseman]

I had a bad experience using it with a cider (dunno why I tried it in the first place), might be ok in a beer though if you use proper fermentation temp control.

If you're looking for a cheap dry yeast, I'd go with Nottingham.

 

[Boodlemania]

I vote "No". Had one experience with it, coming in the extract kit I got with my starter homebrew kit. Never again.

 

[rorygilmore]

I've used it twice. In my first brew ever, I made a 1.040 Pale Ale and that used liquid malt extract and some crystal malt. It finished at 1.010 and was a really tasty beer.

The second time I used it in an all grain Pale with a 1.052 and it finished a bit higher than I expected, 1.016. Even though 1.016 certainly wasn't crazy high, I pitched another yeast that dropped it another several points.

I might give it another chance next time I make a lower gravity batch.

 

[Calder]

It's really a no-name yeast, with poor attenuation. Use a better yeast if you have it available.

 

[samc]

One point is that the packet is not enough yeast so you under pitch. I think people would have better luck with it by pitching 2 packets into a 5 gallon batch. Also seems like most uses of it are kit based extract batches so they generally need more love to get beyond that home brew taste. I have one old packet from an ESB kit that I used liquid yeast for and stuck the Muntons in the fridge. Must be 3 years old by now.

 

[jonmohno]

Im about to bottle a wee heavy next weekend pitched a packet of muntons gold(first time-using it)I think it was at its ex.date so i ended up using it on a big beer, im shure it will turn out fine.I went over my pitching rate a little using a calc. on purpose.

 

[Brewskii]

No one uses this on purpose. Seems like the only people using it got it in kits? I know there OS allot of other More specific stuff out there but dose anyone think this is good yeast to use on purpose and why?

 

[Wakadaka]

I have used it twice. First time it came in a true brew kit that was my first brew. Second time was in a batch I threw together quickly, and it was all the local store had. That was a 2.5 gallon batch too.

I am using it again today, but I am just doing a small batch to see if I have stopped a point of infection.

I have had good results with it, and really have no complaints, but with that said I will never use it on a full 5 gallon batch that I want to turn out well based on other people's experience. I haven't heard any positive reviews on it. Just neutral or negative reviews.

I am all for going cheap, but yeast is not the place to do it. At least not through muntons. Buy some notty, or safale yeast, or just make a huge starter out of a liquid yeast and divide it up. Yeast can get down to a negligible expense if you use it properly. the yeast want to grow and multiply, so if you give them that oppurtunity they will supply you with more than enough

 

[millses]

I will vote yes on Muntons Ale yeast. I have brewed 2 beers with the yeast and they have both turned out great. Both have been malty style beers and the yeast works excellent with them. It has a very clean flavor and provides a clean malt finish. The finishing gravity has been higher using this yeast and I would consider using a starter or at least pitching 2 packs on the 6+ abv beers. I will be using this yeast regularly. Hope this helps!

 

[millses]

As samc said, you can under pitch with just one pack per 5 gallon batch. I brewed a 5 gallon batch Amber with an og of about 1.050. I used 2 packs and the beer turned out excellent. It's nice and clean with a touch of fruit. The nose is a little yeasty. It finished at about 1.005. It's such a cheap yeast that it isn't expensive to use 2. I would recommend.

 

[midfielder5]

This is the default yeast in most of the ales at Midwest

I would look to upgrade. The few times I ordered from Midwest, I upgraded to US-05 for $1 (a great price)-- the Muntons came along once, so I used it for yeast nutrient. tossed it in the boil at 5 min. Haven't brewed with it. But it has other uses.
Cheers.

 

[bigdaddybrew]

I have used the standard yeast on several batches. It ferments quickly and drops out well. Keep it cool <65f and pretty low esters for an english yeast. One packet is under pitching for 5 gallons. I rehydrate two packets and pitch. Usually bubbling away in 4-6 hrs. It will dry out a low gravity wort <1.050 in a few days frequently <1.010 dropping clear a few days later. Choose a different yeast if you brew higher gravity beers it will leave them sweet. I keep a couple of packs as my back up yeast. I think the negative results for many is dry pitching a single dusty un-refridgerated packet that has been taped to a can of extract for who knows how long. Try that with any yeast and tell me how well it works.

 

[bigdaddybrew]

Not sure about trying a whole 5 gallon batch? Ever over estimate water volumes and end up with extra wort? No? Well you're awesome. It happens to me. Put the extra wort in a gallon jug a dry pitch a packet of Muntons Standard and watch it make quick work. Then put it in the fridge and watch it drop out clear. Like I said I keep a couple of $1 packets as my back up yeast. You want a clean American style beer? Try US-05 it will do a better job.