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Author Topic: Which dry ale yeasts to keep as backup?  (Read 8507 times)

Offline anje

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Which dry ale yeasts to keep as backup?
« on: October 22, 2012, 10:24:42 am »
I realize this is an incredibly broad question and varies a lot based on what style I'm trying to brew. The fact is, I'm a beginner messing around with a variety of styles, all ales, and I'd like to be able to have a small stock of dry yeasts in the fridge as backup in case fermentation doesn't start for me for some reason, or in case it gets stuck. Neither has happened to me yet thankfully, but I'm experiencing my typical preoccupation with the fact that the yeast I pitched last night didn't seem to have the airlock going nuts yet by morning. I'd breathe easier knowing I have a few packets in the fridge that will give me a reasonably good-tasting result should I need them.

So what should I get? (I asked the hubby to pick some up for me once before and he returned with a Hefeweizen yeast. I'm not asking him to swing by the homebrew shop near his work again without a few specifics, since clearly the shop was no help to him in choosing something that would be fairly generic.)
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Offline davidgzach

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Re: Which dry ale yeasts to keep as backup?
« Reply #1 on: October 22, 2012, 10:35:32 am »
I always have a couple of packs of US-05 in the fridge just in case I need them.

Dave
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Offline erockrph

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Re: Which dry ale yeasts to keep as backup?
« Reply #2 on: October 22, 2012, 10:59:00 am »
I keep 2 packets of us-05 and 1 or 2 of t-58 on hand for beer and cider, and and a few 71b for mead in the fridge at all times.
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Offline nateo

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Re: Which dry ale yeasts to keep as backup?
« Reply #3 on: October 22, 2012, 11:10:16 am »
I always keep some T-58 on hand, and something more neutral as well. I've been really into K-97 lately, but it's kind hard to find. US-05 is a good one if you brew a lot of American styles.
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Offline Jimmy K

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Re: Which dry ale yeasts to keep as backup?
« Reply #4 on: October 22, 2012, 11:51:38 am »
US05, US04, and T58 will cover most everything
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Offline tschmidlin

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Re: Which dry ale yeasts to keep as backup?
« Reply #5 on: October 22, 2012, 12:11:05 pm »
i usually have US-05, S-04, and 71B on hand.
Tom Schmidlin

Offline denny

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Re: Which dry ale yeasts to keep as backup?
« Reply #6 on: October 22, 2012, 12:16:34 pm »
Never heard of 71B.
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Offline tschmidlin

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Re: Which dry ale yeasts to keep as backup?
« Reply #7 on: October 22, 2012, 12:19:14 pm »
71B-1122, it's very popular for mead.

http://www.lalvinyeast.com/71B.asp
Tom Schmidlin

Offline realbeerguy

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Re: Which dry ale yeasts to keep as backup?
« Reply #8 on: October 22, 2012, 12:49:17 pm »
i usually have US-05, S-04, and 71B on hand.

this
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Offline euge

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Re: Which dry ale yeasts to keep as backup?
« Reply #9 on: October 22, 2012, 01:08:20 pm »
US-05, S-04, Wb-06, Nottingham and Windsor. I don't care for the Munich dry yeast. Will have to try the K-97.
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Offline denny

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Which dry ale yeasts to keep as backup?
« Reply #10 on: October 22, 2012, 01:15:02 pm »
71B-1122, it's very popular for mead.

http://www.lalvinyeast.com/71B.asp

Got it.  Shows how much mead I make, huh?


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Offline nateo

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Re: Which dry ale yeasts to keep as backup?
« Reply #11 on: October 22, 2012, 01:21:53 pm »
US-05, S-04, Wb-06, Nottingham and Windsor. I don't care for the Munich dry yeast. Will have to try the K-97.

K-97 is fruity, but different from the fruitiness in other yeast. K-97 with noble hops gives a subtle "orange marmalade" flavor. I'm pretty sure the orange/citrus part is coming from the yeast and the herbal part is from the hops. 
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Offline firedog23

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Re: Which dry ale yeasts to keep as backup?
« Reply #12 on: October 22, 2012, 01:31:47 pm »
US-05 but I am happy with it as a primary yeast.  I have a T58 going right now in a pumpkin beer and it smells like death but apparently, T58 does that during fermentation, or so I have read.
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Offline beersk

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Re: Which dry ale yeasts to keep as backup?
« Reply #13 on: October 22, 2012, 01:38:16 pm »
I pretty much just keep 2-4 packets of US-05 on hand.  I'm planning to try the K-97 soon though, have a packet of that in the fridge.
Jesse

Offline Joe Sr.

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Re: Which dry ale yeasts to keep as backup?
« Reply #14 on: October 22, 2012, 01:41:39 pm »
I've never heard of K-97 before this thread.

I keep US-05, Nottingham, Windsor and T-58 in the fridge.  I think I may have a packet or two of Munich in there, as well.

I try to have a few varieties in event of emergency.
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