My LHBS has both on their shelves in 11.5g sachets - I have K97 in my fridge as I type. They have definitely been released, but just barely.
I was notified by a retailer last week that they would be stocking them. Yakima Valley hops has told me they should be available through them shortly as well. Just starting to pop up…
I just ordered both from Atlantic Brew Supply.
Austin Homebrew has both of these in 11.5 g packets. I came across them just browsing. Its very exciting to see more and more dry yeasts available. I have tried a few but the only lager strain I have used a lot and come to know is the Bohemian Lager in both liquid and dry. Mangrove Jacks Bohemian lager was pretty good bith for lager and used at ale temps. Is 34/70 the Bohemian Lager as well?
I love the Bohemian Lager but looking for something a little different I am thinking about trying the S-189. And theK-97…that opens up some styles I have yet to try. I have heard good things about both.
From what I remember, 34/70 is the same strain as WY2124 and WLP830. It’s the only lager yeast I have used with my limited experience and like it a lot. I have not been able to discern much of a difference between US05 and K97 other than flocculation but that may have a lot to do with what styles I have used it in.
Farmhouse Brewing Supply has S-189 in stock now as well. That was a pleasant surprise when I was browsing the other day. I will be giving this yeast a go here soon.
Seems that most places are stocking these now. S-189 is the most expensive yeast I have seen with some retailers selling it for over $6 per sachet.
I know, it’s insane! It’s almost not worth it to get dry yeast for the convenience anymore.
I just can’t get a dry lager yeast to give me the save flavors of a nice german strain (833,838, 2206, etc). I have tried them all.
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Well, convenience and price are two different things. Remember that with a dry yeast you are getting a pitchable quantity. Also, you are getting longer shelf life. Then, you are getting the convenience of using it at a moment’s notice, no starter. If you are buying online, dry yeast tolerates shipping better.
As far as price goes, if both dry and liquid are the same price, I would suggest that you’re getting more for your buck with the dry yeast.
I just ordered a couple of packets of each from AIH. Yes, the 189 was expensive, but I’ve heard (from Denny) that it is good, so it’s probably worth it. And the shipping was only $2.99.
I think i will be doing the same and place an order with Austin Homebrew because they also have the Muntons Gold yeast and I would like to try that since it is said to be similar to the Fullers strain.
[quote=“Iliff Ave, post:27, topic:18566, username:goschman”]
I got some because I have a recipe I want to brew that was formulated for this yeast, but in future I will probably stick more with the 34/70.
I also got some K-97 at a much lower price.
I thought of this thread this morning. My LHBS just got K97 and S189 so I bought a couple packs of each. The S189 rang up at $59.99 instead of $5.99 and I was like “yeah, I heard that this stuff was expensive for dry yeast…”
S-189 is listed at $3.99 in the latest William’s catalogue. If you ordered a bunch (4 or more) you’d save enough to cover their flat rate shipping of $6.99.
Farmhouse has K-97 now for $3.39 a sachet. That’s pretty decent, would like to try it. It’s good to have more dry options for the summer months.
Williams Brewing has S-189 for $4.99 which is the cheapest I have seen yet. K97 is $3.49. I used to use them a lot before YVH was recommended to me. From now on I think I will just get hops from YVH and dry yeast and other miscellaneous small stuff from Williams.
Dry lager yeast is a great bang for the $. Especially when your growing liquid to a 15-20 gallon pitch. I’ll be trying S-189 and splitting with liquid to compare.
I passed on the S-189 since im not doing any lagers anytime soon. I did pick up some of the M-97 for an Altbier and maybe to try in a Kolsch. I ordered from Austin Homebrew and I also picked up some Muntons Gold since I have heard some good things about it.