Difference between revisions of "Yeast"

Yeast is a type of fungus which is used in the fermentation process to create beer, wine, mead, cider, and any other similar alcoholic beverages.

General Information

There are thousands of known strains of yeast, and scientists believe only a small percentage of strains have been discovered and categorized. For the purposes of this wiki, only a limited number of yeast strains will be considered.

Yeast Labs

There are two primary companies that provide yeast strains for the homebrewer: White Labs and Wyeast. White Labs yeasts come in vials, while Wyeast come in what are called "smack packs," or small pouches which are crushed to activate them before pitching them into the liquid to be fermented. There are also many smaller companies which sell various types of dry and liquid yeasts, such as Danstar and Brewtek.

Varieties

There are as many varieties of yeast as there are styles of beer, and they can have a profound effect on flavor. Some yeasts are very neutral in profile and clean-fermenting, adding little flavor, while others, such as belgian or wheat beer yeasts, give distinctive characteristics to beers with which they are used.

For examples of commercial uses of strains of yeast check out the Know Commercial Yeasts.

Yeast Washing

Yeast Starters