Testing The Boundaries of Lager Yeast

[wdavis2003]

I recently posted a thread about pitching S-23 at 80 degrees F due to the ground water temperature here in Texas. Because I am pitching on top of a yeast cake in my only fermenter, I had nowhere to put the wort to cool it down to your typical lager fermentation temps. I applied pressure immediately and it resulted in 2 exceptionally clean, great tasting beers.

I'm now on my 4th generation of the S-23 yeast cake. I've left it under pressure at 35 degrees F for TWO months in the ferm chamber. I brewed over the weekend and pitched 80 + degree wort onto it and fully expected a 24 hour lag time to get the yeast going. When I checked on it roughly 2 hours later, the gravity had already dropped 10 points.

No clue how it's going to end up but based on past results, it's going to be a great beer.

I'm wondering how far I can push the temperature threshold. It could save me gallons and gallons of water and a lot of time sitting around waiting for it to cool..

 

[estricklin]

Very interested, and will be curious to hear your results. I've ran s-23 at 67F many times, it has served me very well, and is one of my favorite yeasts. I use lager yeast on all sorts of stuff that I probably shouldn't, like IPAs, and pumpkin beers.

 

[wdavis2003]

S-23 is my favorite by far. Will post the results of the latest brew.

 

[FloppyKnockers]

You call that hot? I wanna hear what happens when you pitch during the boil.

 

[G_robertus]

You call that hot? I wanna hear what happens when you pitch during the boil.

Done that a few times with T-58. Makes great yeast nutrient for the one I pitch after chilling.

 

[Bramling Cross]

I can't speak to pressure fermenting S-23, but I do know that if you let it get warm you wind up with fruit cocktail. I frequently joke about it being the perfect NEIPA yeast for people that don't want to spend twenty bucks on hops.

 

[wdavis2003]

You call that hot? I wanna hear what happens when you pitch during the boil.

Those poor little yeasties.. that's just cruel

 

[wdavis2003]

I can't speak to pressure fermenting S-23, but I do know that if you let it get warm you wind up with fruit cocktail. I frequently joke about it being the perfect NEIPA yeast for people that don't want to spend twenty bucks on hops.

Definitely don't want that in my lager. I'm thinking 90 degrees for next brew day. If it turns out well, that's probably as far as I'll push it

 

[fluketamer]

so yeah.....no.

i agree with bramling cross , warm s23 is not good. i suspect the pressure is saving you.

i dont like s23. once i tried other dry lager yeasts i found it didnt make as good a beer.

i wouldnt trust any yeast at those temps.

but if you are having success go with it.

in my experiences, colder is better but if you have to go warm pressure can save you several degrees - but i believe there is a limit.

 

[wdavis2003]

so yeah.....no.

i agree with bramling cross , warm s23 is not good. i suspect the pressure is saving you.

i dont like s23. once i tried other dry lager yeasts i found it didnt make as good a beer.

i wouldnt trust any yeast at those temps.

but if you are having success go with it.

in my experiences, colder is better but if you have to go warm pressure can save you several degrees - but i believe there is a limit.

It's basically a summer time solution for me to be able to chill to 80 or so and pressure ferment. When the ground water allows me to do so, I'll chill down to lager pitching temps and do it 'the right way'.

 

[fluketamer]

try warm 34/70 its head over heals better than s 23 at all temp ranges in my experience. you may also find it better than the 23.

im about to put up a warm (72 deg) pressure fermented (12 psi) 34/70 lager . this made one of the cleanest beers i have ever made. even cleaner than unpressurized 34/70 at 59 degrees.

 

[SkyPilot]

try warm 34/70 its head over heals better than s 23 at all temp ranges in my experience. you may also find it better than the 23.

im about to put up a warm (72 deg) pressure fermented (12 psi) 34/70 lager . this made one of the cleanest beers i have ever made. even cleaner than unpressurized 34/70 at 59 degrees.

I agree. I have had great luck with similar brews. Quick fermentations and very clean beers.

 

[wdavis2003]

try warm 34/70 its head over heals better than s 23 at all temp ranges in my experience. you may also find it better than the 23.

im about to put up a warm (72 deg) pressure fermented (12 psi) 34/70 lager . this made one of the cleanest beers i have ever made. even cleaner than unpressurized 34/70 at 59 degrees.

I've used 34/70 about 8 times. I'm much happier with S-23

 

[SkyPilot]

I've used 34/70 about 8 times. I'm much happier with S-23

Hmmm. Well I guess that’s what keeps both companies in business. I love my 34/70. But as always we use what works best for us.