[Iliff Ave]

From what I have read, you can make a great kolsch and a decent alt with WLP029. You can make a great alt with WLP036 but it is not appropriate for kolsch.

Does anyone here feel that this is the case? If I remember correctly, a lot here think that WLP029 should not be used for alts despite manufacturer recommendations. It is as cut and dry that 029 is for kolsch and 036 is for alt?

[Frankenbrew]

I harvested some 029 from a kolsch and used it for an altbier. It came out good, and I liked it, but it was different from other alts I have brewed. It is very clean, so it really tastes more like a lager than an ale. That IMO is good. But it also mutes the hops a little, which in an alt, is not so good. So what the beer ended up like was a sort of Alt/Irish Red, the kind of Irish Red like Killian's or Murphy's that is fermented with lager yeast. The beer is good; it just doesn't seem like an alt, to me.

[Iliff Ave]

Interesting. White Labs claims that 029 accentuates hop character and more so than 036.

My plan is similar to yours. I want to try 036 but have a kolsch going with 029 now and would like to just reuse some yeast...

[dmtaylor]

I think WLP029 would make an okay altbier, it is very clean.  However, it is so very bland and without character that personally I won't use it anymore at all.

I love love love the 1007!  I've got that on my first altbier in primary right now, and I can tell you I'm going to be using that yeast a lot more in the future.

[Iliff Ave]

okay. Out of ease I will probably just reuse the 029 this go around and then next time try WLP036 or WY1007 for comparison.

What about using WLP036 or WY1007 for a kolsch? I ask because I normally like to do a run of 3 beers with the same yeast to avoid making too many starters and save costs. This is only when I am using liquid yeast which doesn't occur that often. My plan is to go from kolsch to alt to IPA with the WLP029

[brewday]

I've used both Wyeast 2565 and 1007 many times for altbiers, and I like each of them, but they are quite different.  I found the 2565 alts to be drier and hoppier, while 1007 comes off a little sweeter/creamier.  My slight preference is for 1007. 

Going in reverse (alt yeast in a kolsch) I think you'll miss out on some of the kolsch-specific flavor/aroma and may end up with something more like a blonde ale, but likely a delicious one.

[Frankenbrew]

okay. Out of ease I will probably just reuse the 029 this go around and then next time try WLP036 or WY1007 for comparison.

What about using WLP036 or WY1007 for a kolsch? I ask because I normally like to do a run of 3 beers with the same yeast to avoid making too many starters and save costs. This is only when I am using liquid yeast which doesn't occur that often. My plan is to go from kolsch to alt to IPA with the WLP029

I think the 029 is fine for a kolsch. In fact, I like it better than the Wy2565. It's cleaner.

[HoosierBrew]

+1 to 1007. That is a great strain, and it's clean enough to use in other styles as well. But honestly, I'm a believer in 1007 for alt, 2565 for kolsch. I know the yeast makers sometimes list these types of yeast as substitutes for each other, but I don't get it. Kolsch yeast has that vinous, distinctive character - if it were used in an alt-type recipe it would seem like a 'malty amber kolsch' to me. On the other hand, you could use 1007 in a kolsch and it would be very clean and have no kolsch yeast character. Not saying either beer wouldn't be good, just not the real deal.

EDIT  -  OTOH I'm not always a style nazi, and I've made a lot of good beers that didn't fit any set of guidelines.

[Iliff Ave]

Thanks for all of the feedback. It seems that WLP029 indeed might not be very suitable for an altbier. I will go ahead and brew it to see what I end up with. If nothing else, it will hopefully be good beer.

[HoosierBrew]

Thanks for all of the feedback. It seems that WLP029 indeed might not be very suitable for an altbier. I will go ahead and brew it to see what I end up with. If nothing else, it will hopefully be good beer.

It will make a good beer regardless, man. I bet it goes fast !

[coolman26]

So everyone likes 2565 better than 029 for Kolsch?  I saw East Coast had a Kolsch yeast.  I brewing it next and was going to do an alt after,  Guess I'll get different yeast for it. 

[HoosierBrew]

So everyone likes 2565 better than 029 for Kolsch?  I saw East Coast had a Kolsch yeast.  I brewing it next and was going to do an alt after,  Guess I'll get different yeast for it. 

Not necessarily - my LHBS carries Wyeast and always has it fresh, so I generally buy 2565. I do like 029 though.

[Iliff Ave]

So everyone likes 2565 better than 029 for Kolsch?  I saw East Coast had a Kolsch yeast.  I brewing it next and was going to do an alt after,  Guess I'll get different yeast for it.

I actually have not tried 2565 for a kolsch yet. WLP029 has worked great for me and provides what I look for in a kolsch plus it apparently drops clear easier. I normally prefer Wyeast for no particular reason so I will have to try 2565 at some point. 

[HoosierBrew]

It's a bit of a tradeoff - 2565 is slower to clear, but has really good flavor.  I like both.

[braufessor]

I just kegged an alt brewed with 029....... It is about 3.5 weeks since brew day.  It is not completely carbed, is still a bit hazy (although, fairly clear) and will benefit from some cold conditioning.  However, I did drink a 10 ounce sampler a couple days ago and I was quite happy with it.  I thought the hops were fairly sharp, the malt came through nicely and it was nice and clean.  At worst it is going to be a very nice beer to drink.  I am cautiously optimistic it is going to be a really nice alt with a few weeks of lagering.

This is the first time I have ever used the yeast, so time will tell how it finishes out - but, so far, so good.

*I started fermenting at about 60-62 for the first couple days then moved it to 64-66 for the remainder of fermentation.