White Labs vs. Wyeast

[skibb]

I love them both, both are quality. But I do prefer Wyeast simply for, 3711 and 3725, oh and Roselare. Oh and pacman yeast.

 

[bh10]

I love them both, both are quality. But I do prefer Wyeast simply for, 3711 and 3725, oh and Roselare. Oh and pacman yeast.

My thoughts exactly, if I had to use one company it would be wyeast just do to 3711 and Roselare. :rockin:

 

[volbrews]

I appears a lot of people here do not make starters. Either you are under pitching or pitching many vials or packs. I've done both, and yeast starters kill pitching straight from the manufactures package. Yeast starters are easy to make, vastly expand your yeast count, produce healthier yeast and cut your yeast cost in at least half. There is no comparison. I think White Labs and wyeast both make a great product.

Why does making a starter cut your yeast cost in half? After reading this thread, I almost hate to say this, but I just open the WL vial and dump it in my fermentor. Seems to work so far. I assumed you were supposed to do the same thing with the smack packs (after smacking of course).

 

[Golddiggie]

Why does making a starter cut your yeast cost in half? After reading this thread, I almost hate to say this, but I just open the WL vial and dump it in my fermentor. Seems to work so far. I assumed you were supposed to do the same thing with the smack packs (after smacking of course).

I believe he was talking about compared with buying MORE vials/packets of yeast in order to get to, or closer to, the correct amount of yeast for the brew.

I make starters almost every time I brew. Since getting a stir-plate it's so freaking easy to get a starter to finish quickly, it's insane.

Personally, I've been using Wyeast activator packs from the start, for my beers. I'll probably continue to use Wyeast for the vast majority of my brews. I might use White Labs (their high gravity yeast) for a coming barley wine, but I've not decided on that yet.

The quality of the yeasts should be in line with each other. I would select more by availability where you are, and which offers the features/characteristics you desire. I would also suggest learning how to make starters and doing so when the brew calls for it (whatever size you need to). The Mr. Malty site will give you a good idea of what size start you should make. One of the benefits of having a stir-plate is that you can make much smaller starters. Which means less DME used. They also finish faster than without a stir-plate, so less time involved in getting the starter to finish.

 

[kh54s10]

If it's 1.06 or less you don't NEED a starter. You won't notice a difference in flavor with a small starter.

Now for a lager I do a 1 gal starter.

It is true that you don't NEED to make a starter but the current idea is that it is best to make a starter of the proper size for the gravity of the beer. (mrmalty.com) Even 1.060 wants more cells than provided by either WL or Wyeast. You might not be able to tell the difference but starters are easy and give an even better idea of viability than the smack pack. I had 2 Wyeast packs that came warm and already inflated. One actually prevented me from breaking the nutrient pack. Pitched the yeast and the nutrient in the starter - no problem Starter was done overnite. Fermentation in the wort also started overnite. I have used only Nottingham and Wyeast because I have ordered from NB and that is what they offer. I would not hesitate to by WL.

 

[bechard]

Smack Packs are fun. (* SMACK! *)

That's my reason for Wyeast over White Labs.

 

[scottland]

I choose one over the other based on strain variety. WYeast has 3711, White labs doesn't. White Labs has WLP007, WYeast doesn't. No preference really. I use US-05 for anything American.

 

[QuaffableQuips]

For me it just comes down to convenience. I shop at two LHBSs, one of which carries both brands, the other of which only stocks White Labs. So I choose based on where I happen to be shopping, what's in stock, and what I am brewing. I think both labs produce equally fine products.