Pilsner

[Clint]

Hello all
When I reach maximum stock levels and can release the brew fridge for a few weeks I intend to brew a pilsner.
I've got temp control and water treatment sorted (thanks Steve). Recipe....just gonna go with the German pilsner from the Bible.
I am however stuck on yeast...I always use dry so what is my best option for this?
I've looked at some safale/lager yeasts...some say room temp or double pitch at 12...double pitching puts the cost at £7+.
Would I be better buying liquid?
Cheers!

 

[Cheshire Cat]

I use Safale W34/70 one packet only for 22L.

 

[Clint]

Cheers Chesh...is that at room temp or lower?

 

[Cheshire Cat]

Garage temperature it was about 19C

 

[Clint]

Wonder what the difference is between 19 and 12. .except 7!

 

[cushyno]

It'll take longer at 12degC.

Another option if you want to keep cost down, I'm trying it this weekend, is to use half a packet of dry yeast in 2.5L starter at 1.037. If my calcs are correct that gives a healthy equivalent of 2 packets of dry yeast for a fraction of the cost.

What about the MJ Bohemian or Bavarian dried yeasts?

 

[Cheshire Cat]

Don't know but the Fermentis website say ideal temperature 12-15. I've recently bought a tubular heater so next Pilsner will be fermented in the fridge.

 

[Clint]

Will you still pitch one pkt?

 

[BeerCat]

Dry yeast is fine for lagers there is just more choice in liquid. Personally i love MJ bohemian and the attenuation keeps going up. GEB sell 100g for £15. I do 1 week at 10c, 2 weeks at 18c and cold crash to zero for a week. Large pitch of yeast and isinglass halfway through the crash.

 

[Cheshire Cat]

Will you still pitch one pkt?

Only ever used one pack of yeast but I used a half pack in a 10L brew.

 

[Hazelwood Brewery]

Wonder what the difference is between 19 and 12. .except 7!

Hi @Clint

MJ advise that you need two packs for a 23 litre batch if you’re fermenting at temps below 14C.

 

[marshbrewer]

Don't CML do a proper lager yeast now - their Hell yeast? That's might be cheaper if you need to use 2 packs.

 

[foxbat]

As I recall you don't normally use liquid yeast? If that's true then just pitch 2 packs of W-34/70 Weihenstephan yeast at 10C and follow the Brulosophy quick lager method. If you're happy with liquid yeast and BIG starters then I can recommend both Imperial L28 and Wyeast 2278. Watch your water profile and keep oxygen well away after fermentation and you'll be rewarded.

 

[Edison]

Anyone used LALLEMAND Diamond Lager dried yeast before? Was thinking of the same recipe as Clint in a few weeks. Two packets and ferment cold.

 

[Clint]

Sounds like a plan Foxy... Bruloshophy noted...pity MM has no yeast...I'm not quite ready yet so no worries.

 

[Brew_DD2]

W34/70 is such a great yeast. You can ferment warm and it ferments quickly and very cleanly.

 

[Edison]

Sounds like Diamond and w34/70 may be the same strain.

Also found this elsewhere if it’s any use..?

”I've tried 1 pack of w34/70 around 60F (per the warm ferment threads) and got esters. Tried 2 packs at 54F and still wasn't impressed (esters). So I spoke with a head brewer that was well versed with this yeast (aka their old brewery used this strain a TON). They recommended a VERY heavy handed pitch around 49F to 51F. I got a pack of w34/70 and built it up over time on the stir plate to an estimated 800-900 billion cell count. I used this method because the homebrew shop charges almost $8 a pack for w34/70. Pitched that at 49F and I'll be damned...It was actually clean! Seems like this yeast is finnicky so if you were going to ferment at 54F I'd recommend 4 packs at the very least. 49F would need 8 packs.”

 

[MrRook]

Anyone used LALLEMAND Diamond Lager dried yeast before? Was thinking of the same recipe as Clint in a few weeks. Two packets and ferment cold.

Yes, it's good stuff and very similar to W34/70. When I place an order I go with whichever one is cheaper.

 

[MickDundee]

Anyone used LALLEMAND Diamond Lager dried yeast before? Was thinking of the same recipe as Clint in a few weeks. Two packets and ferment cold.

I used it in my very first lager (GH Cerveza) and it turned out very well. I used MJ Bavarian for my Vienna Lager and MJ Bohemian for my Czech pale.

 

[Kinneuchar]

White Labs WLP830 is my favourite so far. I did however have to pitch in a pack of CML Helles on its third run after a stuck fermentaion at 1020 waiting to see how it turns out