Beer Yeast

By Chris White with Jamil Zainasheff. 

Chris White founded WHITE LABS in San Diego in 1995. Jamil White is a biochemistry undergraduate at the University of California at Davis and is a host on BREWING NETWORK 7

"...Loads of sound information and techniques that will work for brewers at all levels, from beginning homebrewers to production brewers at any sized brewery. Included are fantastic tips for working with all kinds of yeast strains and beer styles, introducting new strains, and how to use best brewing and lab practices to keep your yeast healthy and your beer tasting great." Mitch Steele, Head Brewer/Production Manager at Stone Brewing Company.

This yeast is the signature strain for a brewery in the Northeast United States, making it ideal for New England-style IPAs. Adding personality to your beer by contributing esters and body, this strain will blend with hop flavors and aromas while balancing bitterness. Esters are higher than WLP001 California Ale Yeast® and this strain has been known to result in more diacetyl increasing the temperature at the end of fermentation is suggested.

This strain is available by request. Call us for lead time.

Diamond Lager yeast is a true lager strain originating in Germany. Chosen for its robust character, Diamond Lager yeast delivers excellent fermentation performance, and has the ability to  produce clean, authentic lagers.

Sourvisiae® is a bioengineered ale yeast strain (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) capable of producing lactic acid during fermentation to provide brewers with an easy, reproducible, and mono-culture product for sour-style beer production.

Sourvisiae® contains a single genetic modification, a lactate dehydrogenase gene from a food microorganism, which enables the yeast to produce high levels of lactic acid, the main compound that gives sour beers their flavor. Sourvisiae® allows the brewer to ferment and sour the beer in one simple step.

This yeast produces a very acidic beer, with final beer pHs in the range of 3.0 and lactic acid in the range of 8 – 15g/L. Vigorous fermentation can be completed within 5 days. The resulting flavor and aroma profile of the beer is a slightly fruity acidic beer. Because of the resulting low pH and highly acidic conditions, re-pitching this yeast is not recommended.

10 g for 23L batches

Now with more yeast, you get double the pitch. PurePitch® Next Generation is designed to pitch at a rate of 7.5 million cells/mL per 5 gallons/19 liters, a commercially recommended pitching rate for standard ale ranges. PurePitch® Next Generation has an improved proprietary film designed specifically for White Labs and allows for one-way off-gassing to reduce product inflation and deliver higher yeast health and longer shelf life.

Saison strain with more fruity ester production than with WLP565. Moderately phenolic, with a clove-like characteristic in finished beer flavor and aroma. Ferments faster than WLP565. 

- Styles: Saison, Witbier, Tripel/Dubbel, Bier De Garde, Blonde Ale, Dark Strong Ale

- Attenuation: 78-85%

- Flocculation: Medium

- Fermentation Temperature: 68-78°F (20-26°C)

- Alcohol Tolerance: Medium

Now with more yeast, you get double the pitch. PurePitch® Next Generation is designed to pitch at a rate of 7.5 million cells/mL per 5 gallons/19 liters, a commercially recommended pitching rate for standard ale ranges. PurePitch® Next Generation has an improved proprietary film designed specifically for White Labs and allows for one-way off-gassing to reduce product inflation and deliver higher yeast health and longer shelf life.

From Northern California. This strain is more fruity than WLP001, and slightly more flocculent. Attenuation is lower, resulting in a fuller bodied beer than with WLP001.

Recent sequencing studies show that WLP051 belongs to Saccharomyces pastorianus species, the same hybrid species as most lager strains. However, this strain has been used to make ales for decades and was previously categorized as belonging to Saccharomyces cerevisiae

- Styles: 

- Attenuation: 70-75%

- Flocculation: Medium to High

- Fermentation Temperature: 66-70°F (19-21°C)

- Alcohol Tolerance: Medium-High

Now with more yeast, you get double the pitch. PurePitch® Next Generation is designed to pitch at a rate of 7.5 million cells/mL per 5 gallons/19 liters, a commercially recommended pitching rate for standard ale ranges. PurePitch® Next Generation has an improved proprietary film designed specifically for White Labs and allows for one-way off-gassing to reduce product inflation and deliver higher yeast health and longer shelf life.

Oak ester character makes this yeast well-suited for classic British beer styles such as pales and bitters, or dark malty beers like brown ales and porters. Medium flocculation characteristics allow attenuation up to 75% leaving beer dry while adding malt complexity and pushing hop bitterness. If you love WLP001 California Ale Yeast®, give this strain a try as it has more character.

Now with more yeast, you get double the pitch. PurePitch® Next Generation is designed to pitch at a rate of 7.5 million cells/mL per 5 gallons/19 liters, a commercially recommended pitching rate for standard ale ranges. PurePitch® Next Generation has an improved proprietary film designed specifically for White Labs and allows for one-way off-gassing to reduce product inflation and deliver higher yeast health and longer shelf life.

This strain is the pinnacle yeast for Belgian witbiers or white ales. High phenol production contributes an herbal aroma and flavor notes which blends well with herb and fruit adjuncts. Expect nearly 80% attenuation and a slightly lower resulting pH than English or American ale strains creating a dry beer.

Now with more yeast, you get double the pitch. PurePitch® Next Generation is designed to pitch at a rate of 7.5 million cells/mL per 5 gallons/19 liters, a commercially recommended pitching rate for standard ale ranges. PurePitch® Next Generation has an improved proprietary film designed specifically for White Labs and allows for one-way off-gassing to reduce product inflation and deliver higher yeast health and longer shelf life.

Thiol Releasing Non-GMO Yeast Blend

This is a blend of non-GMO yeast strains that have been carefully selected to aid in the release of bound thiol compounds by targeting high enzymatic B-lyase activity. Providing a balance of tropical flavors and aromas, such as passionfruit, grapefruit, and mango, that’s perfect for a juicy, hazy IPA!

Biotransformation refers to the interaction of yeast with hop compounds during fermentation. New research has emerged showing yeast to have the capacity to change various hop compounds into aromatic compounds that previously were not present, an approach that is becoming increasingly popular for juicy IPAs.

**WLP077 is a Vault Strain, and is not always available.

Now with more yeast, you get double the pitch. PurePitch® Next Generation is designed to pitch at a rate of 7.5 million cells/mL per 5 gallons/19 liters, a commercially recommended pitching rate for standard ale ranges. PurePitch® Next Generation has an improved proprietary film designed specifically for White Labs and allows for one-way off-gassing to reduce product inflation and deliver higher yeast health and longer shelf life.

A fairly clean strain with medium intensity and spice-like phenol production. With up to 75% attenuation, this strain produces a residual malt character. It helps balance any adjuncts resulting in increased drinkability. Slightly lower resulting pH than English or American ale strains, it creates a slightly tart refreshing beer. This strain is ideal for witbiers or Belgian table beers.

Less phenolic than WLP400, and more spicy. Will leave a bit more sweetness, and flocculation is higher than WLP400. Use to produce Belgian Wit, spiced Ales, wheat Ales, and specialty Beers.

Notice to brewers: Tends to take a long time to start; brewers should plan this into their brewing schedule. Needs heavy aeration and nutrients. Allow temperature to free rise.

Now with more yeast, you get double the pitch. PurePitch® Next Generation is designed to pitch at a rate of 7.5 million cells/mL per 5 gallons/19 liters, a commercially recommended pitching rate for standard ale ranges. PurePitch® Next Generation has an improved proprietary film designed specifically for White Labs and allows for one-way off-gassing to reduce product inflation and deliver higher yeast health and longer shelf life.

A classic saison strain sourced from the Wallonia region of Belgium. This strain makes a classic saison by producing flavors and aromas noted as earthy, peppery and spicy. With attenuation averaging around 70 to 75%, some malt flavor will remain present. For best fermentation results, let this strain free-rise to allow for complete attenuation and production of the subtle, traditional aroma characteristics. With high gravity saisons, it’s suggested to dry the beer with an alternate yeast (such as WLP001 California Ale Yeast®) added after 50 to 60% fermentation.

SafBrew™ BR-8 is the first Brettanomyces bruxellensis yeast available to brewers in a dry micro granular format.

It offers all the flavor benefits of ‘wild’ Brett yeast, but with more control and reliability, eliminating the risk of over-carbonation and gushing after bottling.

Selected specifically for secondary fermentation in bottles or casks, SafBrew™ BR-8 produces phenolic compounds that create a distinctive finishing touch which evolves over time as the beer is aged, with funkier notes (barnyard, horse, leather…) nicely balanced by refreshing, fruity notes.