Lallemand Diamond Lager vs. Fermentis S-189 or W-34/70

[PORTERHAUS]

@Village_Taphouse

I was saying that I like 2124 and that it has a very distinct character to my tastebuds.  My understanding was that 34/70 was a dry version of 2124 and also that Diamond was very close to 34/70.  I may be wrong on that.  I have never used 34/70 but many people say it’s very similar to 2124 and that the description often has that “most popular lager strain in the world!” comment which 2124 also has.  Diamond seemed very similar to 2124 to me when I used it.  On the 2308/838 thing, I was under the impression they were the same.  I have used 2308 many times but never 838.  I happen to have a packet of 838 in my fridge and it’s up next here so I will find out very soon.  Everything I have ever seen comparing the strains says that 2308 and 838 are the same yeast but again… that may not be accurate.

I feel about the same way. I think Diamond is much more similar to the liquid equivalent (2124). 2124 is just a great all around Lager yeast. 34/70 is usually pretty good as well, but I think it’s not as similar to 2124 as the Diamond is…especially 34/70 and Diamond side by side. To me, 34/70 takes on a tad bit more American Style Lager style Lager characteristics. On a side note, S-189 is quite different than all of them and is much more malt forward and great in an Oktoberfest, Bock but I haven’t tried it in lighter lagers, Pilsners, etc. Perhaps S-189 is more like a Bavarian Lager yeast.

[ynotbrusum]

@PORTERHAUS

@Village_Taphouse

I was saying that I like 2124 and that it has a very distinct character to my tastebuds.  My understanding was that 34/70 was a dry version of 2124 and also that Diamond was very close to 34/70.  I may be wrong on that.  I have never used 34/70 but many people say it’s very similar to 2124 and that the description often has that “most popular lager strain in the world!” comment which 2124 also has.  Diamond seemed very similar to 2124 to me when I used it.  On the 2308/838 thing, I was under the impression they were the same.  I have used 2308 many times but never 838.  I happen to have a packet of 838 in my fridge and it’s up next here so I will find out very soon.  Everything I have ever seen comparing the strains says that 2308 and 838 are the same yeast but again… that may not be accurate.

I feel about the same way. I think Diamond is much more similar to the liquid equivalent (2124). 2124 is just a great all around Lager yeast. 34/70 is usually pretty good as well, but I think it’s not as similar to 2124 as the Diamond is…especially 34/70 and Diamond side by side. To me, 34/70 takes on a tad bit more American Style Lager style Lager characteristics. On a side note, S-189 is quite different than all of them and is much more malt forward and great in an Oktoberfest, Bock but I haven’t tried it in lighter lagers, Pilsners, etc. Perhaps S-189 is more like a Bavarian Lager yeast.

At one time, it was stated that S-189 was from the Swiss brewery Hurliman, the former maker of Samiclaus, but that may have been anecdotal and I have no idea if it has been genetically sequenced at this point.  So much of what we thought we knew is being shown to be other than we thought!

[BrewBama (Dwain)]

The mfr claims it came from Hürlimann: