Are you getting stuck when picking the right home brew yeast for your brews? This post aims to help you navigate the extensive range of home brew yeasts on the market. Ultimately, helping you pick the perfect yeast for what you are brewing.
What to consider when choosing a home brew yeast
- The style of beer being brewed
- The temperature the beer will be brewed
- Prominent flavours in the finished brew
- ABV % of the brew
Style of beer
Yeast selection is critical for making style specific beer. After all, yeast has a prominent role in the dictating the style of the beer brewing. Mangrove Jack’s Beer Yeast Chart is a great resource listing numerous beer styles and the recommended yeasts. Check out our blog: Mangrove Jack’s Beer Yeast Chart for quick reference.
Brewing temperature
Each yeast has an optimal brewing temperature range. Brewing below the temperature range can result in the yeast not being effective. Alternatively, brewing above the range can result in undesirable flavours. Ensure that you have the right environment or equipment to keep the brews temperature consistent. If you struggle to keep your brew cool, consider Kveik Yeast.
Prominent flavours
Each style has distinct flavours. Malt and hop selection contributes to these flavours, however, the yeast is also largely responsible. For example, lagers exhibit clean and crisp characteristics as a result of the yeast. Additionally, it is the yeast that imparts banana and clove flavours in wheat beers.
Brew ABV %
The ABV tolerance of yeast differs from strain to strain. When making higher ABV brews, ensure that the ABV tolerance is suitable for the amount of fermentable sugar in the brew. Additionally, consider pitching multiple yeasts in high ABV beers to reduce undesirable flavours from under-pitching.