87 replies to this topic

[Big Nake]

I'm gonna give this yeast a thumbs down. My pils is not a bad beer but it isnt anything that screams "German" to me either. I blind tasted my pils next to a German beer I find mediocre at best-Wernesgruner. I could pick out the Kraut beer from either aroma or flavor every time. Mine had a little MJ flavor similar to what I get in my MJ M84 batches. I currently have an M76 Helles cold crashing and it will be the last beer I ferment with M76. Just not a very flavorful yeast.

Thanks for the review and sorry about the yeast. That means I have 2 packets of BLAH in my fridge. TBH, between 2124, Omega Bayern and 2308 I may not need anymore lager strains. I could easily use 2124 as a Czech yeast as well and the other two do everything I need. Cheers.

[Steve Urquell]

Thanks for the review and sorry about the yeast. That means I have 2 packets of BLAH in my fridge. TBH, between 2124, Omega Bayern and 2308 I may not need anymore lager strains. I could easily use 2124 as a Czech yeast as well and the other two do everything I need. Cheers.

It really is disappointing. I love to have another easly stored yeast on hand and not have to worry too much about freshness.

The beer itself is OK but lacks any character that I would call German. It tastes better than the Werengruner I blind tasted it against so it's above mediocre at least lol. I'm sure the Helles will be better as it has a malty grain bill. Still wanted some German character in this dude. S-189 would have made these beers 10X better.

[Big Nake]

It really is disappointing. I love to have another easly stored yeast on hand and not have to worry too much about freshness.

The beer itself is OK but lacks any character that I would call German. It tastes better than the Werengruner I blind tasted it against so it's above mediocre at least lol. I'm sure the Helles will be better as it has a malty grain bill. Still wanted some German character in this dude. [b]S-189 would have made these beers 10X better.[/s]

It's because of your recommendation that I have S-189 in the first place and I currently have a few S-189 beers in the house. That said, I would still rather use one of the other strains I mentioned over S-189 but as a backup lager yeast I like it. That's what M76 was supposed to do too... be a decent backup lager yeast. I feel like S-189 has a decent amount of "European" character and if M76 is NOT euro in character... then what the heck is it?

[Poptop]

Yes, sorry to hear about the MJ76. I have a couple MJ Belgian's and won't be using them after trying one on a batch several months ago. While I can't recollect which one it really turned me off.

Your S-189 to my love of 34/70. It's good to have these on hand for sure. In terms of liquid I will devinitely be using WY2000 again and I am poised to cut open my sack of Bayern next week. Very excited to try this one after all the cudo's it's gotten here. #summerofbayern is being carefully planned

[Big Nake]

Chils, I know you like your M84 but is that what you typically use for all of your Czech beers? Do you ever use 2000, 2001, 802, etc? Do you use 34/70 for them? I'm just curious because I have 2124 in my fridge for some upcoming lagers but I find myself at a loss about what to use for anything Czech these days. I guess 2278 is still out there too and that may actually be the best of the bunch. They need to bring the Staro strain back... 2782.

[Poptop]

I really enjoyed WY2000 Budvar. It had a fantastic lingering taste. I'd definitely get it again.

[Steve Urquell]

Chils, I know you like your M84 but is that what you typically use for all of your Czech beers? Do you ever use 2000, 2001, 802, etc? Do you use 34/70 for them? I'm just curious because I have 2124 in my fridge for some upcoming lagers but I find myself at a loss about what to use for anything Czech these days. I guess 2278 is still out there too and that may actually be the best of the bunch. They need to bring the Staro strain back... 2782.

I've used a few. 2124, W34/70, 2278, 2001. It's been awhile though so I don't have any relevant current data on what I thought of those yeasts (except 2124, W34/70) as it's been several years. I remember making good beer with 2278 but don't remember the yeast character. 2124 is always good but not as estery as M84.

 

I am about to start a run with Imperial L28 Urkel and will update as soon as I have data on it. I like the specs and description of it.

 

"A traditional Czech lager strain, Urkel allows for a nice balance between hops and malt. This strain can be slightly sulphery during fermentation, but it cleans up during lagering. Fermentation at the higher end of the range will produce a beer with minimal sulfur and a light ester profile.

Temp: 52-58F, 11-14C // Flocculation: Medium  // Attenuation: 71-75%"

[Big Nake]

That sounds nice, Chils. Please report back on it after you've used it. The 2278 creates a nice, crisp beer. Crisper than 2124. That sounds weird but it always seems to produce that character for me. Stranger still is that it's a super high floccer which suggests that it would be a low attenuator. I haven't used it in awhile so maybe when I'm done with this run of 2124 (might make the starter tonight), maybe I'll grab some 2278. Of course, that's if Omega Bayern doesn't take over my brain! Cheers.