Reusing yeast cake and beer style question

[lakedawgs]

HI,
I have been wanting to reuse yeast but never really know how the styles will match up.
Is there a chart or some reference that will help me understand a progression of styles to give me a better idea of the best use of my yeast?
Thanks,
Lakedawgs

 

[jar1087]

Ideally you would move from a lower OG to a higher OG, from less hoppy/bitter to more hoppy/bitter, and from lighter to darker beer. Of course, depending on the styles you may not be able adhere to all three of those, so they're just guidelines. The most important criteria is probably the gravity, because fermenting a higher gravity beer can cause the yeast to be stressed and to mutate, which will adversely impact future fermentations. Also, washing the yeast between batches can help if you want to move from a darker to a lighter beer or from hoppy to less hoppy.