• Please visit and share your knowledge at our sister communities:
  • If you have not, please join our official Homebrewing Facebook Group!

    Homebrewing Facebook Group

Verdant in American/West Coast IPA?

Homebrew Talk

Help Support Homebrew Talk:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

slurms

Supporting Member
HBT Supporter
Joined
Jul 7, 2020
Messages
214
Reaction score
175
Location
NJ, by Philly
I've only used Verdant once in a hazy type of IPA, but somehow I have 6 packs of the yeast...

I'm making an American/West Coast (ish) IPA with the recipe below. I'd normally use US-05 for something like this, but since I have a bunch of Verdant, I thought maybe I'd use it here. Anyone have any experience with Verdant in a non-hazy/juicy type of an IPA? My guess is it'll turn out fine. Also, I've never made this beer before since I didn't have the hops I wanted so I just threw something together, so ultimately it probably doesn't matter, but any input would be appreciated.

Recipe:
12lb 2-Row
2lb Munich
.25lb Biscuit

Columbus bittering
Chinook/Idaho 7 end of boil
Columbus/amarillo hopstand and dryhop
 
I've only used Verdant once in a hazy type of IPA, but somehow I have 6 packs of the yeast...

I'm making an American/West Coast (ish) IPA with the recipe below. I'd normally use US-05 for something like this, but since I have a bunch of Verdant, I thought maybe I'd use it here. Anyone have any experience with Verdant in a non-hazy/juicy type of an IPA? My guess is it'll turn out fine. Also, I've never made this beer before since I didn't have the hops I wanted so I just threw something together, so ultimately it probably doesn't matter, but any input would be appreciated.

Recipe:
12lb 2-Row
2lb Munich
.25lb Biscuit

Columbus bittering
Chinook/Idaho 7 end of boil
Columbus/amarillo hopstand and dryhop
I personally wouldn’t use Verdant, it doesn’t attenuate enough for the style. Also too ester forward in my opinion but that could be personal preference.
 
I'd agree with you guys. Although, I already rolled with the Verdant. I've always liked the hazy kinda beers that had a little classic IPA hops in it, so I'm hoping for the best. I'm sure it will not be the worst on-the-fly recipe I've made.
 
I don't know about Verdant specifically. I live in the Sacramento, California area. One of the larger breweries around here, Out of Bounds, told me they use LA III for their IPAs. They brew several clear, dry IPAs. My guess is one would have to mash for a very fermentable wort to get those results. Mash low and and maybe a little longer. As I understand it many breweries make various styles of beer using a single house yeast and varying other aspects of the brewing process.
 
I'd say 60% of what I've been brewing over the last four years has been pitched with LAIII but they were all neipas. Everything else gets pitched with some different strain for particular reasons: ~25% are Chico derivatives, 10% are Whitbread associated, and the last 5% random, including Westmalle originated wy3787. I can't see trying to do a dry wcipa with a strain known for decidedly "un-dry" beer...

Cheers!
 
I'd agree with you guys. Although, I already rolled with the Verdant. I've always liked the hazy kinda beers that had a little classic IPA hops in it, so I'm hoping for the best. I'm sure it will not be the worst on-the-fly recipe I've made.
so pitch some chico or other high attenuator with neutral profile in today. best of both worlds.
 
I guess when I said west coast I meant more in regards to the hops. The only thing is if the esters from the verdant compliment the hops or if it just is too opposing.

I'm thinking it'll turn out fine. Not worried about it but was just curious of people's thoughts, so thanks for that!
 
I guess when I said west coast I meant more in regards to the hops. The only thing is if the esters from the verdant compliment the hops or if it just is too opposing.

I'm thinking it'll turn out fine. Not worried about it but was just curious of people's thoughts, so thanks for that!
There is nothing wrong with what you did. As long as your strong with your skill and process, especially with fermentation and anti o2. it will make a fine beer.

People have such varying pedagogies for brewing. Some brew for the fun of it, some brewers just to say they made their own beer, some follow recipes, some build their own, some don’t care at all about style guidelines, and some brew directly to styles. And due to that, you will always get varied advice on any topic.

I will say the longer I’m in this hobby, the more I care about style guidelines and entering competitions.
 
Look toward English IPA. Verdant is descended from London Ale III. Many UK beers are using New World hops these days.
^^^^^this!
It makes a tasty English IPA and while I agree with many of the other statements, I think many should try their normal WCIPA recipe and substitute the yeast with Verdant and I think you'll be happy with it.
 
For what it's worth, this beer turned out very good. Still a bit young but I'd make it again.

I have a hard time picking out any of the yeast attributes from the verdant. I'd need a side by side comparison with a Chico yeast to tell. But maybe it's because if fermented it lower around 62F
 
I've only used Verdant once in a hazy type of IPA, but somehow I have 6 packs of the yeast...

I'm making an American/West Coast (ish) IPA with the recipe below. I'd normally use US-05 for something like this, but since I have a bunch of Verdant, I thought maybe I'd use it here. Anyone have any experience with Verdant in a non-hazy/juicy type of an IPA? My guess is it'll turn out fine. Also, I've never made this beer before since I didn't have the hops I wanted so I just threw something together, so ultimately it probably doesn't matter, but any input would be appreciated.

Recipe:
12lb 2-Row
2lb Munich
.25lb Biscuit

Columbus bittering
Chinook/Idaho 7 end of boil
Columbus/amarillo hopstand and dryhop
I almost exclusively use Verdant for American hop forward ales nowadays. The specific yeast expression pairs perfectly with the American hops and leaves the impression of hop flavour enhancement.

Anything I would use us05 in is a candidate for verdant to me.
 
I almost exclusively use Verdant for American hop forward ales nowadays. The specific yeast expression pairs perfectly with the American hops and leaves the impression of hop flavour enhancement.

Anything I would use us05 in is a candidate for verdant to me.
I agree. I have used Verdant in lots of American hoppy beers; IPA, APA, Amber, and even a blonde ale. I think it is a great substitute for Chico. I think Verdant gives a nice crisp finish with pleasant, but mild fruity esters.
 
I agree. I have used Verdant in lots of American hoppy beers; IPA, APA, Amber, and even a blonde ale. I think it is a great substitute for Chico. I think Verdant gives a nice crisp finish with pleasant, but mild fruity esters.
I agree! But only in combination with American hops! With noble hops, it is a fruit basket bomb.
 
I've been trying Verdant in all sorts of stuff lately. It just works. I recently made a West Coastish IPA with it and it tastes fantastic. The mouthfeel and soft fruity esters play well with American hops. Although it is not quite as clear as I would like, but that may have been from the dry hopping?

I've also made an American Amber and a Oat Stout with it recently. Both were great.
 
I've been trying Verdant in all sorts of stuff lately. It just works. I recently made a West Coastish IPA with it and it tastes fantastic. The mouthfeel and soft fruity esters play well with American hops. Although it is not quite as clear as I would like, but that may have been from the dry hopping?

I've also made an American Amber and a Oat Stout with it recently. Both were great.
verdant doesn’t have the attenuation for me to use it in anything other than hazies. Ambers or wc ipas I need far drier than what verdant can do
 
Last edited:
I love it in anything american hop related. For everything else, it is too overpowering for my tastebuds. The esters are STRONG with this one. These Esters go really well with american Hops but do not work well wih anything else. My yeast of choice for everything American!

verdant doesn’t have attenuation for me to use it in anything other than hazies. Ambers or wc ipas I need far drier than what verdant can do

Have you tried a hoch kurz mash schedule? 30 minutes at 62 C and 30 minutes at 72 C? I mainly brew sub 5% beers, so the attenuation is not as critical here as with stronger beers...
 
I love it in anything american hop related. For everything else, it is too overpowering for my tastebuds. The esters are STRONG with this one. These Esters go really well with american Hops but do not work well wih anything else. My yeast of choice for everything American!



Have you tried a hoch kurz mash schedule? 30 minutes at 62 C and 30 minutes at 72 C? I mainly brew sub 5% beers, so the attenuation is not as critical here as with stronger beers...
I do some step mashing but not at the same rests. Verdant only gives me 75ish attenuation. Sometimes 78
 
I used Verdant in an IPA that was designed as a west-coast. Came out delicious, great esters and hop character, getting lots of compliments on it. However, despite the use of Clearzyme, Silafine, and a good cold crash, it's never cleared. So if that's something you need in a west coast, try a different yeast. If you don't care about some haze, go for it!
 
I used Verdant in an IPA that was designed as a west-coast. Came out delicious, great esters and hop character, getting lots of compliments on it. However, despite the use of Clearzyme, Silafine, and a good cold crash, it's never cleared. So if that's something you need in a west coast, try a different yeast. If you don't care about some haze, go for it!
It’s the finish as to why I wouldn’t use it for a West coast ipa. They really should finish around 1.012 -1.008
 
I used it in an IPA with 93% pale ale malt 4% Carapils and 3% Caramel 10L. All Centennial for bittering, aroma and dry hop. Fermented at 65F. 80% Attenuation.

I thought it was absolutely fantastic. Dry, hoppy and fruity. My wife, however, hated it. She said “there’s a weird aftertaste to it” which, I assume was the added, fruitiness contributed by the Verdant? I would definitely brew it again… and not share… 🤷‍♂️
 

Attachments

  • IMG_3390.jpeg
    IMG_3390.jpeg
    572 KB
Back
Top