Using Lager Yeast like ale yeast?

[jamursch]

I recently found a recipe I'd like to try but it calls for Lager yeast. I know that using lager yeast requires colder fermenting temps than ales, but is it possible to us a lager yeast at ale fermenting temps?

I am trying to decide what direction to go on the yeast and without the empty fridge to ferment it at I wondered what my options are at this point.

 

[Yooper]

I recently found a recipe I'd like to try but it calls for Lager yeast. I know that using lager yeast requires colder fermenting temps than ales, but is it possible to us a lager yeast at ale fermenting temps?

I am trying to decide what direction to go on the yeast and without the empty fridge to ferment it at I wondered what my options are at this point.

Yes, but the flavors produced by lager yeast at ale temperatures are distinctive, and generally not good.

You may want to use a "clean" ale yeast at ale temperatures, instead of a lager yeast, if you have to ferment above 58 degrees or so.

 

[jamursch]

Yes, but the flavors produced by lager yeast at ale temperatures are distinctive, and generally not good.

You may want to use a "clean" ale yeast at ale temperatures, instead of a lager yeast, if you have to ferment above 58 degrees or so.

Thanks Yooper. I figured that's the answer I'd probably get but figured I'd follow that old saying, "There are no dumb questions..."

 

[bdh]

How cold can you keep your fermenter? If you can keep it in the low 60s you could also try a California lager yeast.

 

[scottab]

Yes, but the flavors produced by lager yeast at ale temperatures are distinctive, and generally not good.

You may want to use a "clean" ale yeast at ale temperatures, instead of a lager yeast, if you have to ferment above 58 degrees or so.

+1on the clean yeast but -1 on the generally not good. Cream ales and "steam" beers are created in just this manner using lager yeast at ale temps.

 

[Yooper]

+1on the clean yeast but -1 on the generally not good. Cream ales and "steam" beers are created in just this manner using lager yeast at ale temps.

Well, cream ales tend to use ale yeast.

Steam beer is a different beast- and generally good with only a couple of strains of yeast. Using, say, Bohemian lager yeast, and fermenting in the mid 60s would not give a good result.

 

[Ramitt]

+1on the clean yeast but -1 on the generally not good. Cream ales and "steam" beers are created in just this manner using lager yeast at ale temps.

those would be the exception that "generally" qualifies

 

[scottab]

Well, cream ales tend to use ale yeast.

Steam beer is a different beast- and generally good with only a couple of strains of yeast. Using, say, Bohemian lager yeast, and fermenting in the mid 60s would not give a good result.

Point taken. I thought that cream ales are supposed to be made with something like us-05 similar to cali common "steam" beer

 

[Ramitt]

Point taken. I thought that cream ales are supposed to be made with something like us-05 similar to cali common "steam" beer

US-05 is an ale yeast, not what one would use for a California common "steam" beer. It is great for pale ales, IPAs and other american ales.

 

[scottab]

US-05 is an ale yeast, not what one would use for a California common "steam" beer. It is great for pale ales, IPAs and other american ales.

Sorry was thinking of s-23 for cream ale... come to think of it i think my bb cream ale extract kit came with us-05

 

[starrfish]

I use this in my Steam Beer fermented in a swamp cooler (no ice) on AC vent:
http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/...er-yeast/saflager-s-23-dried-lager-yeast.html

I've done the Steam with a neutral US-05, and wasn't as happy... it was missing something.

 

[Ramitt]

I've done the Steam with a neutral US-05, and wasn't as happy... it was missing something.

I would imagine, the character from the yeast is pretty important in a steam beer.

 

[duboman]

I brew steam beers using the Cali lager yeast with great success, in fact I'm drinking one now. I ferment them at 59F and they turn out great! The first one I ever did though was done at 65 and I was less than pleased, wound up cooking with most of it

If you use an ale yeast to brew a steam beer you will most definitly not get the flavor profs you're looking for.

 

[boo boo]

Actually, Denny Conn recommends using S-23 lager yeast in the mid 60,'s as according to him, using it at the recommended true lager fermenting temps in the 50"s produces a more fruity beer.

 

[starrfish]

I brew steam beers using the Cali lager yeast with great success, in fact I'm drinking one now. I ferment them at 59F and they turn out great! The first one I ever did though was done at 65 and I was less than pleased, wound up cooking with most of it

If you use an ale yeast to brew a steam beer you will most definitly not get the flavor profs you're looking for.

Only reason I tried us-05 was for an experiment when I forgot to order the fermentis lager... still made a good ale... not a steam... went fast serving to friends.