Rant about Yeast

[insubordinateK]

This is actually what you did say, so now I feel like you're just being argumentative.


How do you think scientists conduct experiments? But using a different test subject every time? Or do they run the same test sometimes thousands of times, searching for minute variables and making extremely small adjustments, in a way that takes exactly the same approach I mentioned to an extreme?

Argumentative? I didn't contradict myself. I'm trying to meet you half way. I'm making a point, and YOU keep attacking me for what I'm saying. We all want to learn something from each batch of beer we brew. And there is a lot to learn using different yeasts (keeping the topic on the OP). I think the aforementioned posts concerning using "neutral" yeasts when the malt and hop flavors dominate are very good things to keep in mind. This realization has helped me tremendously.

I am a scientist, and we conduct experiments trying to control as much as possible. So in a process like brewing, you have multiple confounding factors that could influence each other. You can't run the same test thousands of times in complex systems. You do it more intelligently and efficiently using statistical frameworks such as Design of Experiments. We are currently employing this technique because we work with biological systems. So no, we don't take your approach "to the extreme". However, the home brewer can do as he or she chooses. I'm not saying my way or your way is the "right" way. I'm just saying that you shouldn't buy into that either. Your approach may be very helpful for some people, however, I get tired of drinking the same beer after awhile. And I would hope I could meld some creativity into the experimentation process.

 

[BBL_Brewer]

I agree with the OP. The only way we are going to know what yeasts make better beer is to try them out ourselves. That's not to say that a lot of us arent' doing that already. Everyones tastes are different and taking someone elses word for it won't make the beer that best suits your own taste. I've been using liquid almost exclusively for the past couple years because I was put off initially on dry yeast by the crappy dry yeast packets that came with my first couple beer kits. Here recently, I've tried using dry yeast like S-05 and S-04, and while it does make good drinkable beer, I like the taste of 1272 or Denny's Favorite better. I don't think there is such a thing as truly "Neutral Yeast" as Revvy makes it sound like. No matter what the yeast, it will have an impact on flavor. Granted, some more than others. Boycotting liquid yeast on the basis of "Neutrality" is just crazy. If you said you like the flavor of beer fermented with dry yeast over liquid then fine. But to say that using a "Neutral Yeast" whether dry or liquid makes absolutely no difference in taste is just horse chnit. There are a bunch of different yeasts to choose from out there and while I may never try them all, I will continue to experiment with new ones as much as possible in an attemp to make beer that better suits my taste.

 

[bottlebomber]

The beauty of home brewing is that each can do what he likes and neither ever has to drink the other's beer.

This one.

 

[beergolf]

I think you guys are saying pretty much the same thing in different ways.

A good scientific experiment changes ONE variable at a time so the difference can be noted.

I have done a few recipes only changing the yeast to see the taste difference. For example I did an IPA using US-05, 1056 and 1272. It seems for MY TASTE I like 1272 best and as a result use it in a lot of other brews.

 

[Hoodweisen]

A hell of a lot more than making an apricot ramen hefe, a chili cinnamon dubbel, and a cherry chocolate coffee porter.

Ramen noodles? thats hilarous!

 

[Piratwolf]

I think you guys are saying pretty much the same thing in different ways.

A good scientific experiment changes ONE variable at a time so the difference can be noted.

I have done a few recipes only changing the yeast to see the taste difference. For example I did an IPA using US-05, 1056 and 1272. It seems for MY TASTE I like 1272 best and as a result use it in a lot of other brews.

Hey, beer golf (great name, by the way!), what'd you like most about the 1272? I'm getting ready to try new yeasts on my "house IPA" and would love suggestions.

"All your home brew are belong to us!"

 

[fastricky]

All I will say is the more I experiment with all the liquid yeasts out there, the more I like 05 & 04.

 

[BBL_Brewer]

Hey, beer golf (great name, by the way!), what'd you like most about the 1272? I'm getting ready to try new yeasts on my "house IPA" and would love suggestions.

"All your home brew are belong to us!"

1272 is a great yeast. One of my mainstays. It attenuates well, and flocculates great. I never have to cold crash, not even starters. A couple hours off the stir plate it's ready to decant. It has a great clean flavor and if you ferment low enough it has a bit of a citrusy character to it. Makes a great IPA.

 

[Glossolalia]

I think it's a matter of personal taste preference. A large proportion of the craft beer drinking population prefers hop forward beers. For those people, yeast byproducts may detract from the hop profiles they seek. These are the same people who are always pushing the dogma that all beers need to be fermented in the 60s, with a large pitch, and with always the same oxygenation, or else the finished product be rendered undrinkable. For other's like myself, I prefer yeast-forward beers. I usually prefer to moderately hop my beers and often stick to the use of a small set of hop types. I also tend to favor rather simple grists. Instead, I experiment with different yeast types and different ambient conditions to coax different flavors from the yeast or I purposely introduce other microorganisms to the brew. Sometimes, I even try to see the effects of a population of multiple yeast strains.

 

[beergolf]

Hey, beer golf (great name, by the way!), what'd you like most about the 1272? I'm getting ready to try new yeasts on my "house IPA" and would love suggestions.

"All your home brew are belong to us!"

Pretty much the same thoughts as BBL Brewer has. It just works great. Nice smooth flavor, pretty neutral.Attenuates well. Flocs out great for nice clean beer.

 

[elproducto]

S05, and S04 are the workhorses of my brewery. I don't buy the "liquid" is better argument, and certainly not from Jamil Z. who is in the business of pimping White Labs. I agree, that when you want a specific yeast character you have to use the right yeast, i.e Belgians, Lagers, etc. But why then, if you are doing a clean American or English style ale, why are S-05 and S-04 not the right yeast?

I won gold medal in a homebrew comp with a Pale Ale fermented with S-05, I suspect it was the right yeast.