Goofed: didn't know WLP006 was seasonal. Substitute?

[Echoloc8]

I'm making the Wells Bombardier clone from Can You Brew It, and of course my LHBS didn't have WLP006 because it's seasonal and April's nowhere near the availability window (July-August/Sep). :smack:

I grabbed a packet of S-04 so I have something to use, but since WLP006 has a specific ester profile that the recipe needs, I know the clone effort won't be all it might have been. I do have the Lyle's Golden syrup, so that's at least something distinctive.

S-04 has its own esters, of course, but what would everyone recommend as a substitute? I can make another trip to the shop tomorrow before brewing, so I'd love to hear favorites/opinions.

-Rich

 

[afr0byte]

I'm making the Wells Bombardier clone from Can You Brew It, and of course my LHBS didn't have WLP006 because it's seasonal and April's nowhere near the availability window (July-August/Sep). :smack:

I grabbed a packet of S-04 so I have something to use, but since WLP006 has a specific ester profile that the recipe needs, I know the clone effort won't be all it might have been. I do have the Lyle's Golden syrup, so that's at least something distinctive.

S-04 has its own esters, of course, but what would everyone recommend as a substitute? I can make another trip to the shop tomorrow before brewing, so I'd love to hear favorites/opinions.

-Rich

S-04 or Nottingham would be OK. You don't have time to do a starter for liquid yeast anyways, unless you pitch the next day.

 

[Echoloc8]

S-04 or Nottingham would be OK. You don't have time to do a starter for liquid yeast anyways, unless you pitch the next day.

Thanks for the S-04 vote of confidence. It does make me wonder whether I've got a spare envelope of Notty around...

I've got a stir plate, so I've done the occasional single-day starter and had it go completely crazy. But that's right, I'd need the vial tonight, and I won't have time to hit the LHBS again until tomorrow morning, so I guess S-04 it is!

-Rich

 

[bierhaus15]

Just for future reference, s-04 will not give you nearly the same character as wlp006, closest substitution I have found is wy1335. If you had to go with dry yeast, Notty would be my preference for a Wells beer, so long as you can keep the temps low (60-64F).

 

[Echoloc8]

Just for future reference, s-04 will not give you nearly the same character as wlp006, closest substitution I have found is wy1335. If you had to go with dry yeast, Notty would be my preference for a Wells beer, so long as you can keep the temps low (60-64F).

Thanks! Yeah, the Wells character is just going to be missing in this one, I think. I don't have a Wyeast supplier here, or I'd look into the 1335.

I am a big fan of Notty, but I haven't made many ESBs with it (or at all), just porters, reds and browns. Hmm, I really do need to see if I have a packet around.

-Rich

 

[ArcaneXor]

Just to echo the above comments, Bedford is one of those yeasts that don't have a close substitute. It's a very good candidate for culturing to keep alive during the nine months of the year where it is difficult to obtain.

It will be back in July/August.

 

[ilikeguns]

out of curiosity, how is yeast seasonal? It's not like it grows outside?

 

[Spinrathen]

I assume they only release some strains seasonally.

 

[ArcaneXor]

It's only sold during two months out of the year, as is the case with all Platinum Strains from White Labs.

 

[homebrewdad]

I deal with this with WLP037 (Yorkshire square ale). I love this yeast (makes a superb brown ale), but November/December is their schedule for it. I may have to finally get into yeast washing.

 

[Echoloc8]

Made the beer with S-04 yesterday. Solid brew day, and it's kicking nicely as of this morning. Thanks to everyone for the help!

-Rich

 

[ilikeguns]

It's only sold during two months out of the year, as is the case with all Platinum Strains from White Labs.

Gotcha! i'm a yeast noob 1056/1272/1968 guy so I had no idea about the manufactured scarcity