Switched my company over to Wyeast. Input needed

[rossi46]

I prefer wyeast, I wish I could get it from my lhbs. Crazy thing is, wyeast is only a couple hours drive from me. I order mine online. The biggest one I order is 2565 Kölsch, second would be American wheat. I also like 1272.

 

[chickypad]

I like the currently seasonal 1217 strain a lot, no WL equivalent that I know of. Floccs better than WL001 and 1056 (I was primarily a 001 user) but also seems more temp forgiving. I've had some issues with 001 when it gets up around 71* - diacetyl and such. The 1217 for me has consistently fermented out out strong and fast, clean including a batch that got up to 74* when I forgot to plug the fridge into the temp controller . It also seems to leave a slightly better tasting beer for reasons that I can't quite put my finger on, as both strains are pretty neutral. I heard Michael Dawson say he thinks the 1217 lets the base malt flavors come through a bit better than 1056, could be that's what my untrained palate is perceiving.

 

[MrPowers]

I've used, love, and keep coming back to:
2565 Kolsch
1968 London ESB
1007 German Ale
3068 Weihenstephan Weizen

I've also used 2308 Munich Lager, 2124 (Bohemian, 34/70) and 2002 (Gambrinus). They were all good. I would definitely use the Gambrinus lager again if it was released regularly and I will probably go back to 2308 when my 833 slurry runs it's course. 2124 is pretty standard and nothing too special, but it is a good yeast.

The only yeast I wish Wyeast would have are a substitute for White Labs 029 Kolsch and White Labs 833 Bock yeast (I think they do and it's called Hella Bock, they just don't release it often).

 

[Denny]

Please please Denny take it back asap. I don't want to see Wyeast going out of business.

No problem...in fact, they just became a sponsor of the podcast!

 

[Jaybird]

Jaybird,

As a retailer in a different hobby, I have had similar experiences where a specific manufacturer/producer makes doing business with them difficult for some, and they believe that it will be more but more beneficial for others and therefore improve their bottom line. Over time, these manufacturers/producers seem to come back to similar terms/dating/volumes that got them profitable in the first place.

Yeah I hear ya. Its not the first time for me either. I totally agree and have seen it myself a few times in the last 7 years in this business. I am very happy so far with how Wyeast has accommodated me and my team. They will probably kill me for saying this but they gave me most of my acrylic display racks for display. Don't get me wrong..I had to BEG for them but they cam through. I like the packaging so far, and the feedback here and in the store has been VERY well received. All in all I think this was a much needed and probably overdue change.

Cheers
Jay

 

[Jaybird]

I've used, love, and keep coming back to:
2565 Kolsch
1968 London ESB
1007 German Ale
3068 Weihenstephan Weizen

I've also used 2308 Munich Lager, 2124 (Bohemian, 34/70) and 2002 (Gambrinus). They were all good. I would definitely use the Gambrinus lager again if it was released regularly and I will probably go back to 2308 when my 833 slurry runs it's course. 2124 is pretty standard and nothing too special, but it is a good yeast.

The only yeast I wish Wyeast would have are a substitute for White Labs 029 Kolsch and White Labs 833 Bock yeast (I think they do and it's called Hella Bock, they just don't release it often).

TOTALLY AGREED! The 833 is going to be very tuff to live without! I am going to PUSH and BEG Wyeast to get the Bock on the front page. They do have a Kolsch yeast and from what I am hearing in the store its kind of a 50/50 split on who loves which one WL Vs. Wyeast. So I will have to brew with the Wyeast Kolsch and see for myself.

I do have a pack of the 833 and the 029 still left in the store so I may just have to grab those and slant them myself for future use..LOL

Cheers
Jay

 

[MrPowers]

TOTALLY AGREED! The 833 is going to be very tuff to live without! I am going to PUSH and BEG Wyeast to get the Bock on the front page. They do have a Kolsch yeast and from what I am hearing in the store its kind of a 50/50 split on who loves which one WL Vs. Wyeast. So I will have to brew with the Wyeast Kolsch and see for myself.

I do have a pack of the 833 and the 029 still left in the store so I may just have to grab those and slant them myself for future use..LOL

Cheers
Jay

I really like the Wyeast Kolsch when I'm looking for a Kolsch with a lot of character, but I just used the White Labs for the first time on a light pseudo lager and I love how clean and crisp it is and how quickly it cleared. Wyeast Kolsch never really settles and clears, especially not to the extent that the White Labs does.

On another note, if you can get Wyeast to make the Hella Bock a regular, I'm sure there will be more than one person in your debt!

 

[KeninMN]

My favorites are:

1084 Irish Ale - A real BEAST. Great for all browns and stouts.
1272 American Ale II - My favorite with IPAs. It just seems to accentuate the hops more than 1056. I even used this for a killer New Glarus Spotted Cow clone.
1335 British Ale II - A great flocculator which makes crystal clear beer with no extra effort or cold crashing. A must for any Surly Brewing ale clones.
1968 London ESB - Great for British Porters and Scotch Ales too! I made a dead-on 3 Floyds Robert the Bruce clone with this yeast.
2565 Kolsch Ale - Makes a perfect Kolsch and a damn fine Oktoberfest ale.

 

[Nagorg]

FWIW, I bought Wyeast 1056 today instead of WLP001.

 

[Denny]

FWIW, I bought Wyeast 1056 today instead of WLP001.

In our experiment, 1056 is preferred over 001.

http://www.experimentalbrew.com/experiments/yeast-comparison-same-strain-wyeast-1056-wlp-001

 

[Jaybird]

In our experiment, 1056 is preferred over 001.

http://www.experimentalbrew.com/experiments/yeast-comparison-same-strain-wyeast-1056-wlp-001

Well that's good to hear Denny....Feedback in the store has been OVERWHELMING! Many are REALLY REALLY liking this switch!

Cheers
Jay

 

[Queequeg]

Yeah i have to say 1056 is good, 3711 is an epic monster and Denny's is excellent.

Thank you Denny for preserving that strain

 

[Nagorg]

In our experiment, 1056 is preferred over 001.

Good info and Thanks Denny! Looking forward to seeing what I think of it myself. This will be my first time to 1056 while I've used 001 many times.

 

[signpost]

I've always had a good experience with Wyeast.

Two of my favorites:
1469 - West Yorkshire Ale
3522 - Belgian Ardennes

If I had to pick my favorites, these would be it. Those two would carry me through a lot of the styles I enjoy brewing. The main times I don't use Wyeast are when I'm using an ECY wild/sour blend. I also use some BRY-97 for IPAs and pale ales and some T-58 as a bottling yeast for my sours.

A couple others I really like from Wyeast are:

3711 French Saison
2565 Kolsch

I really liked the 2565 for the few actual Kolsch style beers I've made. But I know a lot of people use it for other styles as well, including IPAs. I don't think I'd ever use it for that purpose, but apparently some people like it for that.