Looking for a warmer yeast

[Algernon]

I can't cool below 22c without getting an STC1000, so I was wondering if anyone had tried any of the yeasts which claim to be able to go up to higher temps, e.g. mangrove jack's workhorse?
Can anyone recommend anything? Currently my beers have a faint solventy edge which I am inclined to blame on fusels.

 

[pittsy]

Have you no buckets large enough to fit your fv in ? The larger the better , if filled with water will allow your fv to get at least 2 c lower than room temp and it will maintain a constant temp better too . My average room temp is about 20c at the moment so your fv would be sitting at 18c and because your yeast heats the brew up it should be around 20c in fv .

 

[JKaranka]

You can also brew styles that benefit from the higher temperatures. I'll be using saison yeast for my next brew to tie me over to end of September when temperatures drop a bit.

 

[JKaranka]

I'm getting the hang of this: in autumn and winter you brew all the regular ales (and stouts, imperials, etc.), in spring you brew the pales for spring, and in summer you brew the Belgians for autumn and winter!

 

[Algernon]

Have you no buckets large enough to fit your fv in ? The larger the better , if filled with water will allow your fv to get at least 2 c lower than room temp and it will maintain a constant temp better too . My average room temp is about 20c at the moment so your fv would be sitting at 18c and because your yeast heats the brew up it should be around 20c in fv .

Sadly 22c is as low as it goes WITH the bucket, towel and fan system.

 

[Algernon]

I'm getting the hang of this: in autumn and winter you brew all the regular ales (and stouts, imperials, etc.), in spring you brew the pales for spring, and in summer you brew the Belgians for autumn and winter!

I think I may have to get into that system as well. I do have a fridge I can get an FV into, but until I sort out an STC and heater I am going to have a little trouble. I do have a DJ brewing away using yeast from Evil Twin's Femme Fatale Brett, which I am lead to believe will work better at higher temps. If it works I'll bear it in mind for next summer. It's about 6 quid a bottle, but you get beer AND yeast in one package so I reckon it's a good deal.

 

[mike77]

I'm just drinking a pale ale now that I fermented with mangrove jack's workhorse at about 25c. Very good beer and no issues with the yeast at that temp. I would happily use this yeast again. I have also been brewing at high temp with saison and brett yeasts and had no problems with them either.

 

[Algernon]

I'm just drinking a pale ale now that I fermented with mangrove jack's workhorse at about 25c. Very good beer and no issues with the yeast at that temp. I would happily use this yeast again. I have also been brewing at high temp with saison and brett yeasts and had no problems with them either.

That's good to know, Mike. Thanks. Did you notice any of the finer points of the yeast, like whether it drops down nicely in the FV, and whether it sticks nicely to the bottom of the bottles?
I have been using Wilko's own brand and it is great in the bottles, you can pour the whole lot out and the yeast just sits there.
I think on balance I'll get a couple of sachets next time I put in an order, in the name of science.

 

[mike77]

I racked it into a corny pretty quickly so didn't get a chance to see how well it cleared in the FV. It's been in the corny in the fridge for about a week and a half while I was on holiday. First pint I poured had some yeast as expected as it was still suspended in the beer when I racked it, after that the beer was yeast free (I won't say clear cos I always get a bit of chill haze). It was a very fast fermenter and got the beer down from 1.050 to 1.016 in about 24 hours. Seems a clean tasting yeast even at that temp. If you are stuck with high temp fermenting then I would say this yeast is a good choice.

 

[Pjam]

You must have a hot home. I managed to lower my FV temp by 4-5 degrees using the evaporation method (wet towels) though it looks terrible and seems crude.
Summer is so short in the UK, next year I'll avoid brewing for a couple of months ...... but then again who knows what the weather may bring.
As someone mentioned, traditionally we brewed ale for most of the year but mead during the summer months :)