Konig Ludwig Yeast Harvesting

[jzamora3]

Hey guys,


I recently picked up a sixer of Konin Ludwig weissbier and I love the taste of this beer. The banana and vanilla yeast profile are delicious.

Was wondering if you guys knew if they use the fermenting yeast in the bottle? I know some breweries will use a different yeast in the bottle when producing tjoer beers.

Was hoping to be able to harvest the yeast from my last three bottles.

Thanks in advance!!

 

[Gnomebrewer]

According to this thread, you can
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=222526

A lot of others say that most German breweries filter, then use lager yeast in the bottle though - maybe taste your starter to check that it tastes like a hefe, not a lager! I'm very keen to try this, as I really like this hefe. Let us know how it turns out if you go ahead with it.

 

[jzamora3]

According to this thread, you can
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=222526

A lot of others say that most German breweries filter, then use lager yeast in the bottle though - maybe taste your starter to check that it tastes like a hefe, not a lager! I'm very keen to try this, as I really like this hefe. Let us know how it turns out if you go ahead with it.

So I tried it. Used a .25L started at 1.030 on stir plate for 3 days then in fridge for another couple days. It grew and tasted like a hefe BUT It had a horrible smell to it. I know that yeast isn't the most pleasant smell, but when I tasted and smelt the sample, it almost smelled like rotten milk. Not horrible but definitely distinct. Think this yeast is good to go?

 

[Gnomebrewer]

Hefe yeasts produce lots of sulfur, which can be quite unpleasant (actually, quite rank), but I'd still be reluctant to pitch that into my beer! Personally, I'd pitch that into a bigger starter and see how that one goes. If it cleans up after a few days (gets rid of the smell and tastes good) then I think you'd be good to go.

 

[mrpercussion80]

I just made a gallon batch (55% wheat 45% pilsner with a small addition of hallertau) to see if the yeast I harvested from a bottle of Konig Ludwig Weisbier was Hefeweizen or lager yeast. Upon bottling the aroma and flavor made it very clear that the yeast strain I revived is definitely a Hefeweizen yeast and not lager. I did not get the sulphur smell from the fermented wort, but I had let it go a full three weeks without touching it.

 

[ebbelwoi]

I had some König Ludwig Weißbier a few months ago (on tap), and it tasted a lot like the batches I'd brewed using WLP300/WY3068/W68. I wouldn't be surprised if it were the same yeast.