Looks like Lallemand has released a new dry strain; Lalbrew House Ale.
LalBrew® House Ale is a high performance ale yeast of British origin like LalBrew Nottingham™, but with neutral flavor characteristics more similar to an American ale yeast such as LalBrew BRY-97™.
It is available for homebrewers, but seems more targeted to pro brewers.
https://www.lallemandbrewing.com/en/united-states/products/lalbrew-house-ale/
This study compares Lalbrew House Ale to US-05, but notably not Bry-97 or Nottingham. My guess is neither Nottingham nor Bry-97 has significantly dented US-05’s market share and House is a new SKU to keep battling.
The study is from Escarpment Labs who partnered with Lallemand on this strain release.
Very interesting. It sounds like everything I like about the dependably clean BRY-97 but with quick fermentation times that are similar to English strains. Definitely need to try it out.
I’ve been waiting on MoreBeer to stock this and finally, I had three packs delivered yesterday. My first experiment will be in a Rye IPA. The second is my standard APA. The third is up for grabs
I’m looking forward to it.
I worry about Bry-97’s future. Will it be replaced? Why have two SKUs that are nearly identical in flavor? I hope House is good.
If it starts faster and finishes faster with a neutral flavor profile I can see using it. …but I’ve been disappointed in new yeast strains before. The dryer finish may be the differentiator for someone desiring a dry vs fuller finish.
I know that both Denny and I would be disappointed if BRY-97 went away
I don’t see any reason to think it will. It’s as likely the House Ale won’t catch on and will go away. Or neither. Or both?
I doubt they are planning to kill any of their yeasts, but where else can I express my irrational fears if not the internet.
Wonder if this falls more in the San Diego Super Yeast / Imperial Joystick area of the Chico family
I haven’t used it yet, myself, but the head brewery at one of my local breweries loves this yeast. I’m looking forward to trying it, myself.
it has 5 out of 5 lines for neutral, while bry-97 has 4. so it has a stronger neutral flavour.
They killed Köln, which was an excellent strain (though it required pitching two packs for 20L of wort like a lager according to Lallemand’s recommendations).
I am still bummed about that! Such a great strain.
House sounds to me like S-04. Which I find to be extremely clean. Even when I ferment in mid-70s with S-04, it is clean as a whistle. If House is ever cheaper than S-04 (a fave of mine), I’ll give it a try.