Given the majority of the strains I use I've been using for almost 15 years, I'm inclined to chalk up the shaky fermentations of my two Spencer batches to inexperience with the strain, and the whole "how big is this pitch, actually?" problem with home yeast propagation.
Even assuming I got a healthy start from the dregs, for sure I majorly underpitched the first batch, it had all the classic signs. Rescued with US-05, which did not step on the Family Yeast character at all. Was good enough to give it another go.
Second batch went better but still could not reach a reasonable FG, even with a month simmering in the upper 70s°F. Rescued with 3787, which did add its character a bit, but it was so compatible with the Spencer yeast that it came out great.
I really do enjoy this "yeast forward" style, so when I get 'round to it I'll start anew and really build up to something that might actually verge on an overkill pitch and let it rip through another batch.
Meanwhile, there's this little matter of a Trappist IPA to consider...
View attachment 342350
Verdict? Quite good indeed (and pretty as a ripe Persimmon).
And definitely NOT the Family Yeast here.
I would rank this with Southern Tier's 2XIPA in many respects, the prominent characters are very similar.
If I had to choose I'd go with the Spencer...
Cheers!