[brewthru]

Recently brewed the BYO, White Labs “Crazy 4 Cali” recipe. This is supposed to be an Anchor Steam, aka California Common, clone.

Since I had recently brewed a true Anchor Steam using White Labs 810 I planned to repitch the yeast into the “Crazy 4 Cali” brew.

No luck. The White Labs 810 yeast was dead.

Oh, no!

Since the WL810 was dead, in 5 gallons I pitched dry yeast SafAle-S04, in the other 5 gallons I pitched dry yeast Mangrove Jack M44.

The S04 version was very good. I did detect some slight esters from the British yeast. However, IMO, this was a decent Anchor Steam. Probably, 20 years ago, I would have not even noticed the esters.

Came time to keg and serve the M44 version. Immoderately I notice a difference. To me the M44 fermented brew tastes more as a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. Most interesting.

Others thoughts, input, comments, etc on me to understand the difference between the 2 yeasts that I used for fermenating?

Thanks.

[Iliff Ave]

Isn't M44 their American ale yeast? I would assume it's very similar to WLP001, WY1056, and god forbid US-05....

[Bob357]

M44, though called US West Coast, is a higher attenuator (77 to 85%) than the Chico strains (73 to 77%). It's great for dry and hoppy brews, but definitely way too neutral for a California Common.

[Richard]

Recently brewed the BYO, White Labs “Crazy 4 Cali” recipe. This is supposed to be an Anchor Steam, aka California Common, clone.

I searched BYO for this recipe and couldn't find it. I finally found it at Briess:
https://www.brewingwithbriess.com/recipes/beer/display/crazy_4_cali

[Iliff Ave]

M44, though called US West Coast, is a higher attenuator (77 to 85%) than the Chico strains (73 to 77%). It's great for dry and hoppy brews, but definitely way too neutral for a California Common.

Are these based on your experience or what they tell you? I rarely get below 78% with 05. Oops also for got to mention the superior bry97 according to most.

[Bob357]

M44, though called US West Coast, is a higher attenuator (77 to 85%) than the Chico strains (73 to 77%). It's great for dry and hoppy brews, but definitely way too neutral for a California Common.

Are these based on your experience or what they tell you? I rarely get below 78% with 05. Oops also for got to mention the superior bry97 according to most.

I was generalizing to point out the difference between M44 and typical California/American/Chico Ale strains. and should have added that US-05 is rated to 78 to 82% AA, higher than most. The attenuation numbers I cite for M44 are from both my experience and data from Mangrove Jack's. My APAs and IPAs are usually at the upper end of the range.

[brewthru]

Recently brewed the BYO, White Labs “Crazy 4 Cali” recipe. This is supposed to be an Anchor Steam, aka California Common, clone.

I searched BYO for this recipe and couldn't find it. I finally found it at Briess:
https://www.brewingwithbriess.com/recipes/beer/display/crazy_4_cali

The recipe was on the postcard size White Labs recipe in the September 2020 BYO. The printed hop ounces are incorrect.