Best Yeast Types For Mr. Beer Extracts

Mr. Beer offers a wide range of brewing yeast options for beer enthusiasts. The type of yeast used can significantly impact the flavour, colour, and bitterness of the beer. While Mr. Beer's dry brewing yeast is included under the lid of most of their delicious brewing extracts, some recipes call for different types of yeast. For instance, the Bavarian Weissbier uses a dry wheat yeast, while other recipes may require specialty yeasts like lager yeast or ale yeast.

When purchasing Mr. Beer extracts, it is essential to check the best-before date, as the yeast under the lid may lose viability over time. If you plan to use expired Mr. Beer extracts, it is recommended to get new yeast to ensure successful fermentation. Additionally, storing extra yeast packets in the refrigerator is always a good idea as backup for when you might need to replace old or misplaced yeast.

Mr. Beer offers a variety of dry ale yeasts, such as Safale US-05, SafAle S-33, and Safbrew T-58, ensuring that your beer is consistently amazing each time you brew.

Yeast for lighter beers

Lagers, the bottom-fermenting yeasts, are the best option for brewing lighter beers. Lager yeasts do their work at colder temperatures than top-fermenting yeasts, usually between 7 and 15°C. This means that lager yeasts reproduce more slowly and settle at the bottom of the fermenter before making it to the top.

Lager yeasts inhibit the production of chemical by-products or off-flavours that can be more pronounced in ales, which is why lagers have a "cleaner" taste. Lagers, Pilsners, Bocks, Märzen, and Dortmunders are all brewed using bottom-fermenting yeasts.

Mr. Beer's dry brewing yeast is a hardy, flocculent, and temperature-robust yeast that is included under the lid of their brewing extracts. The temperature range for this yeast is 65°-75° F.

Mr. Beer is believed to use the Lallemand Nottingham Ale yeast, but they might use others. Ale yeasts are distinguished by their unique flavour production and are known for their ability to top-ferment. Ale yeast goes by the Latin name *Saccharomyces cerevisiae* and includes bread yeast, distillers yeast, and many laboratory yeast strains.

Ale yeast ferments quickly, consumes the correct profile of sugars, tolerates moderate alcohol levels, and can survive the anaerobic conditions of fermentation. Ale yeast also has an ideal fermentation temperature of around 68°F (20°C).

Yeast for darker beers

When brewing darker beers, such as stouts, porters, wheat beers, Altbier, and Kölsch, it's important to select the right type of yeast to achieve the desired flavour and fermentation process. Here are some recommendations and insights for choosing yeast for darker beers:

Ale Yeast

Ale yeast, or Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is a versatile option for brewing darker beers. It includes bread yeast, distillers yeast, and laboratory yeast strains. Ale yeast is known for its unique flavour production, and it doesn't produce phenolic off-flavours like some "wild yeasts". Ale yeast ferments quickly, consumes the correct profile of sugars, tolerates moderate alcohol levels, and survives anaerobic conditions. The ideal fermentation temperature for most ale strains is around 68 °F (20 °C), and they will tolerate temperatures up to 95 °F (35 °C). However, the best flavours are produced when fermenting at the ideal temperature.

Some examples of clean, group 1 ale yeasts offered by White Labs are WLP001 (California Ale), WLP029 (German Ale/Kölsch), and WLP051 (California V Ale). These strains are popular as they can produce lager-like beers using ale techniques and fermentation times. They usually ferment a little slower than other ale yeasts and exhibit medium flocculation properties, ensuring proper conditioning of the beer.

If you're looking for a fruitier option, group 2 yeasts such as WLP002 (English Ale), WLP004 (Irish Ale), and WLP005 (British Ale) are excellent choices. These yeasts add a lot of character to your beer and ferment at the same temperature as clean fermenters. They typically flocculate quickly, which can aid in leaving acetaldehydes and diacetyl in solution.

Lager Yeast

Lager yeasts, also classified as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, ferment at colder temperatures than ale yeasts, typically in the range of 50–55 °F (10–13 °C). They are known as bottom fermenters as they tend to settle at the bottom of the fermenter. Lager yeasts produce fewer esters and fusel alcohols due to the cooler fermentation temperatures, resulting in a "cleaner" taste. However, the cold fermentation can make it harder for the yeast to absorb diacetyl, so a good diacetyl rest near the end of fermentation is recommended.

Other Considerations

When choosing yeast for darker beers, it's important to consider the flocculation rate, attenuation, and optimal fermentation temperature. Different strains of yeast have varying flocculation rates, which can impact the colour and clarity of your beer. Attenuation refers to the degree to which the yeast ferments the fermentable sugars in your wort, and the ideal level depends on your desired beer style or personal preference. Optimal fermentation temperature is crucial, as temperatures that are too low or too high can slow down fermentation or produce off-flavours.

Additionally, when purchasing yeast for Mr. Beer extracts, it's worth noting that their standard beer yeast is believed to be Lallemand Nottingham Ale yeast, but they may use other strains as well.

Dry wheat yeast

When it comes to Mr Beer extracts, their dry brewing yeast is included under the lid of their delicious brewing extracts. This yeast is known for its hardy, flocculent nature, and temperature robustness. It's the perfect choice for those who want to stick to the Mr Beer extracts and achieve a consistent brew.

However, if you're looking for something a little different, the Bavarian Weissbier extract stands out from the rest with its Dry Wheat Yeast. This particular yeast variety offers a unique twist to your beer, and with its temperature range of 65°-75° F, it's an excellent option for those who want to explore a different flavour profile.

If you're an experienced brewer, you may want to experiment with different yeast strains to create your own unique beer. In this case, Mr Beer offers a range of other high-quality yeast options, such as the Safbrew WB-06 Dry Wheat Yeast, which can be purchased separately. This option provides flexibility and allows you to customise your brew to your liking.

Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned brewer, dry wheat yeast offers a versatile and reliable option for your beer-making endeavours. With its hardy nature and ability to adapt to various temperatures, it's an excellent choice to create consistent, delicious beer every time.

Dry ale yeast

While the exact type of dry ale yeast used by Mr. Beer is not publicly disclosed, it is believed to be Lallemand Nottingham Ale yeast. However, there has been speculation that they might use other strains, such as Mauribrew 514 ale yeast or Cooper's "Gold" yeast, which is known for its heat tolerance.

Mr. Beer offers a range of dry ale yeast options for purchase, including Safale US-05, SafAle S-33, SafAle T-58, and Safale S-04. These yeasts can be used with various beer kits, such as the American Lager Deluxe Refill, Diablo IPA Complete Craft Refill, and American Porter Standard Refill.

Lager yeast

Saflager W-34/70 Dry Lager Yeast

This yeast strain is a popular choice for brewing lagers and is known for its ability to produce clean and crisp beers. It has a temperature range of 12°-15°C and can ferment up to 4.5 million cells per mL, resulting in a quick and efficient fermentation process. This yeast is ideal for creating well-balanced lagers with a smooth and neutral flavour profile.

Saflager S-23 Dry Lager Yeast

The Saflager S-23 is another excellent option for lager yeast, as it is highly versatile and can be used in a wide range of lager beer styles. It has a slightly higher temperature range of 12°-22°C, making it suitable for brewing in varying conditions. This yeast strain promotes a clean and crisp flavour profile, with subtle fruity notes. It is a great choice for brewing classic American lagers.

Belle Saison Dry Brewing Yeast

While not a traditional lager yeast, the Belle Saison yeast can be used to create unique and complex lager-style beers. It has a temperature range of 15°-24°C and can add fruity and spicy notes to the beer. This yeast is perfect for brewing saison-style lagers or for experimenting with non-traditional lager flavours.

When choosing a lager yeast for Mr. Beer extracts, it is important to consider the desired flavour profile, fermentation temperature, and the specific style of lager being brewed. Each yeast strain has its own unique characteristics, and selecting the right one can greatly impact the final product. By choosing a high-quality yeast, such as those offered by Mr. Beer, brewers can ensure consistent and delicious results with each batch.

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