Best Commercial Beer Yeast: Where To Buy?

Commercial beer yeast can be purchased from a variety of online and in-store retailers. Some of the most popular suppliers include Imperial Yeast, Wyeast, White Labs, GigaYeast, East Coast Yeast, and The Yeast Bay. These suppliers offer a wide range of yeast strains, including dry and liquid options, to help brewers create any type of beer, from ales and lagers to Belgian-styles and meads. In addition to purchasing yeast from dedicated suppliers, homebrewers can also attempt to culture yeast from bottle-conditioned beers, although this requires knowledge of the yeast's condition and may not always be successful.

Online stores such as Imperial Yeast

Commercial beer yeast can be purchased from online stores such as Imperial Yeast, which offers a wide range of yeast strains for both professional and home brewers. The website provides detailed information about each yeast strain, including its characteristics and recommended usage. In addition to its online store, Imperial Yeast also has a network of retailers where customers can purchase its products in-store.

Another popular online store for purchasing commercial beer yeast is Midwest Supplies, which offers a full range of dry and liquid yeast from reputable brands such as Fermentis, Wyeast, Omega Yeast Labs, Imperial Yeast, and White Labs. Midwest Supplies provides a comprehensive selection of yeast strains suitable for various beer styles, including ales, lagers, Belgian-styles, and meads.

For homebrewers who are unable to find a specific yeast strain, the American Homebrewers Association offers guidance on how to culture yeast from bottle-conditioned beers. By selecting beers that are bottle-conditioned and have a layer of sediment at the bottom, homebrewers can increase their chances of successfully culturing the desired yeast. However, it is important to note that the condition of the yeast, such as its freshness and alcohol content, can impact the outcome.

Additionally, there are commercial yeast labs, such as Wyeast, White Labs, GigaYeast, East Coast Yeast, and The Yeast Bay, that offer a vast array of microorganisms for brewers to choose from. These labs provide a diverse selection of yeast strains, ensuring that brewers can find the right yeast to create their desired beer flavours and aromas.

Commercial yeast labs like Wyeast, White Labs, and East Coast Yeast

Wyeast, for example, offers a variety of dry and liquid yeast strains that can be used to make ales, lagers, Belgian-style beers, and meads. White Labs is another reputable lab that provides yeast for both professional and home brewers. They offer a similar range of products to Wyeast, allowing brewers to create a diverse array of beers.

East Coast Yeast is another well-known commercial yeast lab that caters to the needs of brewers. While their specific product offerings may vary, they are known for providing a wide range of yeast strains. Additionally, labs like GigaYeast and The Yeast Bay also offer a diverse selection of microorganisms for brewers to experiment with.

When purchasing commercial beer yeast, it's important to consider the specific strain that is required for your recipe. Different strains can significantly impact the flavour and aroma of the final product. Labs like Wyeast, White Labs, and East Coast Yeast often provide detailed information about their yeast strains, allowing brewers to make informed decisions.

In addition to these commercial labs, there are other sources for purchasing beer yeast. For example, Imperial Yeast offers commercial pitches of 1L or larger, as well as Pitch Right pouches that can be purchased online or in stores. Midwest Supplies is another retailer that offers a range of dry and liquid yeast strains from various labs, including Fermentis, Wyeast, Omega Yeast Labs, Imperial Yeast, and White Labs.

Homebrew shops, which stock a variety of yeast strains

Homebrew shops stock a variety of yeast strains for homebrewers. Imperial Yeast, for example, offers a large selection of yeast strains for all levels of brewers, which can be purchased online or in-store. Midwest Supplies also offers a full range of dry and liquid yeast from Fermentis, Wyeast, Omega Yeast Labs, Imperial Yeast and White Labs.

Homebrewers have access to lots of yeast strains, but sometimes a particular strain is not available. In this case, it may be possible to culture your desired yeast from a bottle-conditioned beer. Most commercial beers are filtered, but some brewers will bottle-condition their beers and this is usually advertised on the label. You can also look to see if there is a layer of sediment at the bottom of the bottle (this is the yeast). Before culturing commercial yeast, you need to know the condition of the yeast you’re trying to culture. Fresh beer that has been stored cold and is not extremely alcoholic will have a good shot at recovery.

Harvesting yeast from bottle-conditioned beer

Commercial beer yeast can be purchased from a variety of online and in-store retailers, including Imperial Yeast, Wyeast, White Labs, GigaYeast, East Coast Yeast, The Yeast Bay, Fermentis, Omega Yeast Labs, and Midwest Supplies.

• Start by carefully pouring the beer into a glass, leaving behind the sediment and about half an inch of beer.
• Flame the rim of the bottle to sanitise it.
• Cover the bottle with pressure-cooked foil or foil treated with a sanitiser like StarSan until you're ready to harvest.
• To get the yeast back into the growing phase, boil and cool some fresh wort. Add a small amount to the bottle and let it sit for a few days, covered.
• Once you see fermentation start, step up the culture by adding around five times the amount of wort currently in the culture. Continue this process until you have enough for a batch.

It's important to treat the bottle as sanitary as possible throughout the process, just as you would with a chilled wort. Additionally, before attempting to culture commercial yeast, it's crucial to understand the condition of the yeast you're working with. Fresh beer that has been stored cold and is not extremely alcoholic will have a better chance of recovery.

Midwest Supplies, which offers a range of dry and liquid yeast

There are a number of places where you can buy commercial beer yeast. One option is Midwest Supplies, which offers a range of dry and liquid yeast from Fermentis, Wyeast, Omega Yeast Labs, Imperial Yeast and White Labs. With these options, you can make any type of beer, from ales and lagers to Belgian-styles and meads.

Midwest Supplies' range of yeast includes products from some of the biggest names in the industry. Fermentis, for example, is known for its high-quality yeast products, which are used by professional and home brewers alike. Wyeast is another well-known brand, offering a wide variety of yeast strains to choose from. Omega Yeast Labs is also a trusted provider of yeast, with a focus on quality and consistency. Imperial Yeast is another great option, with decades of brewing experience and a commitment to providing the best possible yeast products. White Labs rounds out the list, offering a comprehensive range of yeast products that are perfect for any brewing project.

In addition to Midwest Supplies, there are other retailers that offer commercial beer yeast. Imperial Yeast, for example, offers a wide selection of yeast strains and products, including its Pitch Right pouches, which can be purchased online or in stores. Wyeast, White Labs, GigaYeast, East Coast Yeast, and The Yeast Bay are other commercial yeast labs that offer a diverse range of microorganisms to choose from. However, it's important to note that certain strains may not be available commercially.

Frequently asked questions