# Bohemian Lager Yeast at Ale Temps?

**URL:** <https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/bohemian-lager-yeast-at-ale-temps/9130>\
**Category:** Ingredients\
**Created:** [January 31, 2012, 4:34pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/bohemian-lager-yeast-at-ale-temps/9130 "2012-01-31T16:34:05Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 16\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![mtnandy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/43a26b/32.png) [@mtnandy](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/mtnandy)\
**Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 4:34pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/bohemian-lager-yeast-at-ale-temps/9130/1 "2012-01-31T16:34:05Z")

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So, I was watching Brewing TV last night, and they split a kit into two carboys, each with a different yeast. One used US-05, and the other used the 2124 Bohemian Lager yeast. Both were fermented at the same temp: 66-68 degrees. When they tasted them, they said that the 2124 retained its lager characteristics and had less esters than the US-05 even at that elevated temp. Has anyone else used this yeast at ale temps? What were your results? I would love to be able to make some lagers at ale temps (even though I do have lager capabilities), but I am very nervous about going that high with a lager yeast.

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**Author:** ![sathingtonwilloby](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/sathingtonwilloby/32/11966_2.png) [@sathingtonwilloby](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/sathingtonwilloby)\
**Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 4:56pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/bohemian-lager-yeast-at-ale-temps/9130/2 "2012-01-31T16:56:58Z")

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I’ve had good luck using 2124 for a California Common, fermenting at 60 to start and ramping up to 65 over the course of the fermentation. It actually turned out cleaner than expected. I don’t have any experience going higher than that.

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**Author:** ![thirsty\_monk](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/thirsty_monk/32/8400_2.png) [@thirsty\_monk](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/thirsty_monk)\
**Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 12:15am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/bohemian-lager-yeast-at-ale-temps/9130/3 "2012-02-01T00:15:15Z")

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I was thinking about it. I fermented with WY2124 at 54F with food results.  
I would say you will get more esters warmer you ferment.

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**Author:** ![calpyro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ba0ec/32.png) [@calpyro](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/calpyro)\
**Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 2:13pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/bohemian-lager-yeast-at-ale-temps/9130/4 "2012-02-01T14:13:14Z")

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> [@mtnandy](#):
>
> So, I was watching Brewing TV last night, and they split a kit into two carboys, each with a different yeast. One used US-05, and the other used the 2124 Bohemian Lager yeast. Both were fermented at the same temp: 66-68 degrees. When they tasted them, they said that the 2124 retained its lager characteristics and had less esters than the US-05 even at that elevated temp. Has anyone else used this yeast at ale temps? What were your results? I would love to be able to make some lagers at ale temps (even though I do have lager capabilities), but I am very nervous about going that high with a lager yeast.

I routinely use lager yeast at +/- 65 degrees. I will make a 10 gallon of 1.040 Cream ale with a variety of lager yeast as a starter for my German Pilsner or Bohemian Lager.  
I have had very good results with the Cream Ale in competitions and have never had any negative comments from judges. It make a tasty beer and a really good stater for the German Pils.

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**Author:** ![thirsty\_monk](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/thirsty_monk/32/8400_2.png) [@thirsty\_monk](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/thirsty_monk)\
**Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 11:20pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/bohemian-lager-yeast-at-ale-temps/9130/5 "2012-02-02T23:20:21Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> I’ve had good luck using 2124 for a California Common, fermenting at 60 to start and ramping up to 65 over the course of the fermentation. It actually turned out cleaner than expected. I don’t have any experience going higher than that.

Steam Cal Common has some fruity esters.  
Did you have any fruity esters with this yeast at that temp?

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**Author:** ![a10t2](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/a10t2/32/6257_2.png) [@a10t2](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/a10t2)\
**Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 11:32pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/bohemian-lager-yeast-at-ale-temps/9130/6 "2012-02-02T23:32:01Z")

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> [@mtnandy](#):
>
> When they tasted them, they said that the 2124 retained its lager characteristics and had less esters than the US-05 even at that elevated temp.

Didn’t they make a starter for the 2124, and pitch the US-05 without rehydrating? That’s my recollection.

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**Author:** ![sathingtonwilloby](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/sathingtonwilloby/32/11966_2.png) [@sathingtonwilloby](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/sathingtonwilloby)\
**Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 11:40pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/bohemian-lager-yeast-at-ale-temps/9130/7 "2012-02-02T23:40:33Z")

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> [@thirsty\_monk](#):
>
> > [@](#):
> >
> > I’ve had good luck using 2124 for a California Common, fermenting at 60 to start and ramping up to 65 over the course of the fermentation. It actually turned out cleaner than expected. I don’t have any experience going higher than that.
> 
> Steam Cal Common has some fruity esters.  
> Did you have any fruity esters with this yeast at that temp?

I got some fruity esters at that temp, but it was a bit cleaner than I personally prefer for the style. I pitched a slurry and oxygenated like I would for a lager, so next time I might reduce the pitch rate and see what happens. I’m really liking the versatility of this strain.

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**Author:** ![thirsty\_monk](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/thirsty_monk/32/8400_2.png) [@thirsty\_monk](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/thirsty_monk)\
**Post date:** [February 3, 2012, 4:12am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/bohemian-lager-yeast-at-ale-temps/9130/8 "2012-02-03T04:12:49Z")

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I like it too.  
I am working with the same pitch I bought 11 months ago.  
So my yeast could have drifted from original 2124.

I mainly ferment two beers.  
In Pilsner yeast become very powdery and it ferments about 0.9 Plato a day.  
In &nbsp;dark lager yeast drop out much cleaner and I do not have to filter.  
But it ferments about 0.5 Plato a day.

Quite interesting. They originated from the same pitch.

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**Author:** ![paul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bbe5ce/32.png) [@paul](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/paul)\
**Post date:** [February 3, 2012, 5:24am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/bohemian-lager-yeast-at-ale-temps/9130/9 "2012-02-03T05:24:05Z")

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I don’t have any firsthand experience with lager yeast at warmer temps, but I know that the book “Farmhouse Ale” by Phil Markowski talks about it.&nbsp; Apparently it’s common for Beires de Garde to use lager yeast at warmer temps.&nbsp; The book mentions particular strains that can be used this way IIRC.

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**Author:** ![sathingtonwilloby](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/sathingtonwilloby/32/11966_2.png) [@sathingtonwilloby](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/sathingtonwilloby)\
**Post date:** [February 3, 2012, 1:19pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/bohemian-lager-yeast-at-ale-temps/9130/10 "2012-02-03T13:19:19Z")

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> [@paul](#):
>
> I don’t have any firsthand experience with lager yeast at warmer temps, but I know that the book “Farmhouse Ale” by Phil Markowski talks about it.&nbsp; Apparently it’s common for Beires de Garde to use lager yeast at warmer temps.&nbsp; The book mentions particular strains that can be used this way IIRC.

Thanks for the heads up on that. It’s been a while since I read that book. Time to blow the dust off and crack it open again.

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**Author:** ![madscientist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f19dbf/32.png) [@madscientist](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/madscientist)\
**Post date:** [February 3, 2012, 9:02pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/bohemian-lager-yeast-at-ale-temps/9130/11 "2012-02-03T21:02:58Z")

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I’m definately thinking about trying this.&nbsp; Maybe in the summer with the AC on my swamp cooler will keep the temp down even lower.

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**Author:** ![kit\_b](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/kit_b/32/13535_2.png) [@kit\_b](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/kit_b)\
**Post date:** [February 3, 2012, 9:53pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/bohemian-lager-yeast-at-ale-temps/9130/12 "2012-02-03T21:53:56Z")

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I use it in my CA Commons, often.  
I used it in a cream ale recipe, 3 weeks back.  
I’ll be tasting it, tonight.

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**Author:** ![malzig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ec9cab/32.png) [@malzig](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/malzig)\
**Post date:** [February 5, 2012, 2:56pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/bohemian-lager-yeast-at-ale-temps/9130/13 "2012-02-05T14:56:52Z")

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Wy2782 Staropramen yeast works well at temperatures in the low 60’s, staying very clean.

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**Author:** ![dbarber](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/dbarber/32/1319_2.png) [@dbarber](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/dbarber)\
**Post date:** [February 5, 2012, 4:09pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/bohemian-lager-yeast-at-ale-temps/9130/14 "2012-02-05T16:09:02Z")

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> [@paul](#):
>
> I don’t have any firsthand experience with lager yeast at warmer temps, but I know that the book “Farmhouse Ale” by Phil Markowski talks about it.&nbsp; Apparently it’s common for Beires de Garde to use lager yeast at warmer temps.&nbsp; The book mentions particular strains that can be used this way IIRC.

Markowski suggest either wyeast 2007 or 2124 and fermenting at 58-62.&nbsp; Going to try 2124 in my next BdG.

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**Author:** ![kit\_b](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/kit_b/32/13535_2.png) [@kit\_b](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/kit_b)\
**Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 2:58pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/bohemian-lager-yeast-at-ale-temps/9130/15 "2012-02-06T14:58:11Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> I use it in my CA Commons, often.  
> I used it in a cream ale recipe, 3 weeks back.  
> I’ll be tasting it, tonight.

That beer turned out so good, I don’t think I’ll bother with making it as an ale, anymore.

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**Author:** ![beersk](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/beersk/32/13414_2.png) [@beersk](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/beersk)\
**Post date:** [February 7, 2012, 9:17pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/bohemian-lager-yeast-at-ale-temps/9130/16 "2012-02-07T21:17:36Z")

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I brewed a 1554 clone using that yeast at my normal ale temp, probably 62F or so.&nbsp; It turned out pretty good, better than I expected.
