New dry yeasts

Ingredients
1

Williams has two new dry yeasts from Fermentis.  Or are these just new to Williams?

S-189  Lager strain from Switzerland that is highly flocculant, leaving a firm sediment in the bottle.  Attenuation 73-77%.  11.5 gram pack.  Ideal fermentation temp. range 53.6-59* F.  http://www.williamsbrewing.com/SAFLAGER-S-189-LAGER-YEAST-P4042.aspx

K97    German ale yeast ferments with a large firm head and produces beers with a full body. Also good for Belgian Ales. Medium attenuation. Temperature range: 54-76 degrees F., with an ideal temperature range of 59-68 degrees F. 11 gram pack.
  http://www.williamsbrewing.com/SAFALE-K97-P4041.aspx

Anyone tried either or know anything about them?  They sound interesting.

2

These were previously only available in massive bulk containers for commercial brewers.  Only now are they in smaller packs for homebrewers.  I’ve been wanting to try these for years, they sound like nice options for dry yeasts, basically a Kolsch or alt yeast and a continental lager.  I see all those styles in my future!

3

These were released widespread within the past couple of months.

I have been using the K97 recently with good success. In the beers I have used it in, it is quite comparable to US05 in my opinion. I get a tad less attenuation with it and it is not very flocculant however I can get it to clear pretty well with gelatin. I have yet to try it in an actual German ale but it seems to be good for Alts. I don’t think it would provide the right yeast character for a Kolsch but I could be wrong. Fermentis’ descriptions are a joke for most of their strains. Do not use this in Belgian Ales…

I have not used S189 yet but I hear it is great.

4

S-189 has been around for many years.  It’s a great dry lager yeast, especially for maltier styles.

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Is there a liquid equivalent or one close to it? Origins?

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A quick search seems to point to WLP885 Zurich Lager which is a platinum strain.

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platinum strain?

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It’s their term for seasonal release I believe. This one is Sep-Oct according to their site. Someone will have to chime in on whether or not it is the same strain…

WLP885 Zurich Lager Yeast
Seasonal Availability: Sep - Oct

Swiss style lager yeast. With proper care, this yeast can be used to produce lager beer over 11% ABV. Sulfur and diacetyl production is minimal. Original culture provided to White Labs by Marc Sedam.

Attenuation:
70-80%
Flocculation:
Medium
Optimum Ferment Temp:
50-55°F (10-13°C)
Alcohol Tolerance:
Very High

9

I made a yummy helles bock with it last year.
I plan an alt with the K97 fairly soon.

10

I’m super interested in S-189.

11

Got a helles about ready to crash and keg using S-189, and I have a few packets of K-97 in the fridge waiting to go. Altbier is in the near future for me.

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Erock, I’d be really interested to hear how your beer turns out, or if you’ve pulled any samples to date.    I was planning on brewing a hybrid beer on my 5 gallon to grow up yeast for a 1/2 bbl helles, then a 1/2 bbl maibock.  Was planning on using 2206 or 830, but would be real interested in this as an alternative for this run of beers.  Tia

13

I’ll keep you posted. Need to clear up some space in the freezer and refill my CO2 tank before I can get around to kegging this. I’ll probably do a quick D check in the next couple of days.