[tomsawyer]

Anyone have experiences with this yeast?  Ive heard only bad things about it so far.  I bought two packets and was going to brew a few lagers this winter, but I'm growing up some WLP830 now because I'm kind of scared to try S23.  I really don't want a fruity lager, I went through that last winter with the Brewferm lager yeast and it was a big waste of time.

[dean]

I've used it a couple of times, never as a true lager though.  I made a decent BMC type ale using S23.  Fermented it at the low end of ale temperatures, 58 to 60 degrees.  I didn't notice any fruitiness in that at all...

[tomsawyer]

I was told it worked well enough at 60F.  MAybe I'll use it up that way, I make plenty of pale ales and stuff that doesn't require distinctive yeasts.

[ndcube]

Maybe save it for re-yeasting at bottling time if you ever have the need.

[1vertical]

I am currently fermenting a brew with this yeast. O.G. was at 1.068. Pitch temp was 48*f. Highly Oxigenated wert. After
much discussion with several brewers, I decided to ferment at the 60*f range.  It was at 1.025 yesterday and the Hyd Tube
sample tasted NASTY fruity.  I had such high hopes for this and well, I am gonna give it more time but now I suspect
that the fruity thing is too forward to be totally gone. If it goes away, I'll be suprised.

[denny]

I've tasted a few good beers made with S-23, but none of them have been mine!  I made the 2 worst batches I've ever made using S-23.  The only uninfected beers I've ever dumped out.

[1vertical]

I've tasted a few good beers made with S-23, but none of them have been mine!  I made the 2 worst batches I've ever made using S-23.  The only uninfected beers I've ever dumped out.

Denny, If this one does not pull out of it's tailspin down the tube of tutty-fruity, it will be joining yours in
some saline ocean...downstream from me.

OTOH, I got some S-189 ordered to try thanks for the tip on that dry lager critter.  Tiz the season to Lager....

[redbeerman]

I've used it a couple of times, never as a true lager though.  I made a decent BMC type ale using S23.  Fermented it at the low end of ale temperatures, 58 to 60 degrees.  I didn't notice any fruitiness in that at all...

This is my experience as well.

[1vertical]

The longer this sits in my garage in the Keg, the nicer it gets.
Tutti Fruti is not apparent at this point. Some Haze but
from day to day this too seems to be going bye bye...
Kind of a roller coaster ride with this yeast but in the end...not too shabby.

[chezteth]

I have used this yeast twice to make a classic american pilsner.  I fermented around 60 deg. F.  Both times my beer ended up having a fruity character to it.  I did not mind it but it definitely did not have the clean lager character you would expect.  Next time I make this beer I will either ferment cooler and/or use a different yeast.

Happy Brewing,
Brandon

[hankus]

I have used it x3 (original packet and then saved from yeast cakeX2)and fermented my usual way with good results and NO fruity taste
1)Big starter
2)After bubbles begin at low 60s I drop it to mid 50s X 2 weeks or until 48 hrs after all bubbles stop whichever comes first
3)raise loosely covered to low 60s and hold X 48hrs
4)rack to secondary and lager at 32-36X>2 mnths transferring to serving keg when I need it

[denny]

I really wonder why the heck results with yeast are so erratic. 

[hankus]

Based on what I cansee from previous posts on this thread it seems that a mid 50s ferment seems to produce good results..also initial fruitiness will clear

[1vertical]

Funny this post came up as I just tapped that keg today.
It still tastes of the fruitiness but it is not intolerable.
Drinkable but does have an aftertaste .....If I were giving
someone a taste of my beers for their 1st time, this would
NOT be the beer I would let them try....for fear they might judge
my work harshly. Some may like this flavor however.....

[1vertical]

I have used this yeast twice to make a classic american pilsner.  I fermented around 60 deg. F.  Both times my beer ended up having a fruity character to it.  I did not mind it but it definitely did not have the clean lager character you would expect.  Next time I make this beer I will either ferment cooler and/or use a different yeast.

Happy Brewing,
Brandon

That is Spot on Brandon...only I won't use it again. It just has a definate flavor.....