I’ve got a pack of S-23 yeast and am not sure what to do with it. I was hoping to do a pilsner, but from what I’ve read, this is an estery lager yeast. Any suggestions on styles I should consider for this?
IMO, the best thing to do with it is throw it away and get a better yeast. I made the 3 worst beers I’ve ever made using that yeast
You won’t get a lot of love from Denny on this yeast, but I like it ok. I think the best lagers I made with it were American 2 Row style lagers with flaked corn, but fermented in the 45-47F range and leave it on the yeast for a month. It can get fruity if fermented warm, IIRC. You got it, so you might as well use it.
Good luck and enjoy the brew.
I fermented in the 45-50 range and it was still disgustingly fruity. I know there are people who have had success with it, but there are a lot who had the same experience I did. Wish I could figure out why.
I remember it turned out badly for you, but it may be just a palate difference - I know I like your recipes, but maybe my palate isn’t as sensitive to the fruity side of things? I know it isn’t as refined as some guys I know who can pick out subtleties.
Mine was so weird I sent some to John Palmer who said it tasted like Bartles and Jaymes Passion Fruit Wine Cooler!
In other words, an APA brewed with Citra and Galaxy may be your best bet…
There is an American lager by Capital Brewing outside of Madison Wisconsin that I was trying to clone - called Supper Club; I got pretty close with using S-23. And folks liked it a lot. It is pretty light and spritzy, but refreshing and has a decent malt backbone. I brewed several batches to try to hone in on it and got pretty close. Maybe the yeast was the difference, maybe not.
If you don’t want to throw it away, use it in the boil as a yeast nutrient.
Yeesh…this yeast sounds Shi-teee. I’ll find something to do with it. I like the APA idea.
I made a Dortmunder Export with it that took 1st place in light lagers at a competition last fall. I am currently fermenting an Irish Red Lager with it.
I’m still surprised John would admit to having tried Bartles and Jaymes Passion Fruit Wine Cooler.