Wlp830 experience...

[Redneck82]

Doing an over-hopped Helles/German Pils cross (miscalculated IBUs...wups).

OG was 1.050. Plan was to pitch @68F and hold until fermentation started. Unfortunately, I was not able to cool down to 55F until full high krausen (ferm going for a full day and a half @68).

Slowly lowered the temp down further to 41F over the past week in order to keep further diacetyl production at a minimum.

Gravity is currently 1.024. Hydrometer is in ferment and there is still a little foam production- ie not exact reading but it is close.

I plan on raising the temp to 68 again for a d-rest for 3 days. Question is, because I suspect a more than normal (?) amount of diacetyl, should I extend the rest time to 4 or 5 days? Or should I skip the d-rest and extend my lager time by 2-3 weeks? (I was planning about 5 weeks lager time at 34F).

This is only the second time I've used 830 and would appreciate any advice from someone who had used this strain (successfully...) before.

Cheers!

Btw, doing a bitter on Sunday. Last 4 batches have been triple decoctions, should be nice to do a 'simple' infusion mash...

 

[Paul07293]

I've used this strain for doppelbocks but I pitch low (46-48F) and let the temp ramp up to 50, then hold it there till fermentation activity looks like it has finished. I haven't had a diacetyl problem yet. Do you detect any diacetyl?

 

[Redneck82]

Haven't had a tasting yet. I plan on transferring from carboy to corny keg tomorrow, and won't have a chance to taste until then. I just suspect there will be a detectable amount due to early fermentation temps.

I'm just worried all this work might yield a butter-bomb.

Tried pitching cold with this yeast (45 degrees) and it took over a week to start (made a starter, yeast slurry was 6 fl oz for a 5 gal batch, well aerated).

 

[Paul07293]

I make a 2 liter starter, pitch when it's at peak activity and it takes off in less than 24 hours.