Yeast name: M36 Liberty Bell
Type: Unspecified ale yeast
Temperature range: 18-23
Attenuation: 76%
Flocculation: High
Number of times I've used it: 5+
They say: A top fermenting ale yeast suitable for a wide variety of hoppy and distinctive style beers. This strain produces light, delicate fruity esters and helps to develop malt character.
Suitable for both English and American Pale Ales, Extra Special Bitters, Golden Ales and more.
I say: A fast acting, reliable yeast that gives mild fruity esters, which increase as you progress up the fermenting temperature range. At low temps, it's pretty clean, making it very versatile. Clears really well, and sticks to the bottom of the bottle. Great stuff, that is presently my house strain. Can sometimes over shoot its claimed attenuation, but somehow this doesn't seem to result in a dry or thin beer.
Yeast name: Nottingham
Type: Unspecified ale yeast
Temperature range: 10-22
Attenuation: 77%
Flocculation: High
Number of times I've used it: 5+
They say: Nottingham is an English style ale yeast selected for its high performance ability and versatility. Traditional styles brewed with this yeast include but are not limited to Pale Ales, Ambers, Porters, Stouts and Barleywines. Furthermore, this highly versatile yeast strain allows for tremendous creativity when brewing beers out of the regular spectrum: in addition to these traditional styles, Nottingham gives the possibility of creating styles such as Golden Ale, Kölsch, Lager-style beers, IPA, and Imperial Stout, among many others.
I say: Available cheaply from Wilko's as Wilko Gervin English Ale Yeast, Notty is a clean fermenting yeast that has little character. It does have it's own taste that is sort of very slightly buttery, which some people can't get along with. I just think its dull, which can actually be an asset in some beers, such a pseudo lagers, or a hindrance in ales that rely on a bit of character. Very reliable. I've had it attenute in the mid 80's, so can leave a beer a little thin. So cheap from Wilko that its worth having as a backup yeast in your fridge.
Yeast name: Real Ale
Type: Unspecified ale yeast
Temperature range: 17-22
Attenuation: 70-79%
Flocculation: 79%
Number of times I've used it: 2
They say: Suitable for English Ales, Scottish Heavy Ales, American Amber Ales, Sweet Stouts and more. A top-fermenting ale yeast suitable for a variety of full bodied ales, with exceptional depth.
I say: Available directly from CML, I can't knock this yeasts price or performance. Starts really quickly, and finishes with good attenuation. However, both times I have used it I have been left with a yeasty taste in the resultant beer that I just don't like, and it didn't want to condition out. Forum reports suggest it does dissipate after a few months, but I'm not going to risk it again. Be aware, however, that this yeast has a huge amount of positive reviews in the UK on home brew forums, so it might just be my palate! These yeasts are such good value that I would recommend buying one and giving it a go, perhaps on a smaller batch if you are worried. CML are great to deal with (particularly for hops).
Yeast name: California Common
Type: California Common ale yeast
Temperature range: 15-22
Attenuation: 77-82%
Flocculation: 78-80%
Number of times I've used it: 1
They say: Suitable for California Common and lagers fermented at ambient (ale) temperatures. California lager yeast produces clean and crisp lagers and is excellent for producing hoppy pale ales, pilsners, Helles, or Californian Steam Beers. For a cleaner, crisper brew ferment at the lower end and a period of lagering is always recommended. 2 packs may be required if fermenting below the recommended temperatures. COLD AGE FOR 8 WEEKS for best results.
I say: I love this yeast. I used it for a Kentucky Common, and it let both the malts and hops shine through, while leaving a 'clean' taste with little taste contribution from the yeast, as intended. Starts quickly, I fermented at 17 degrees and ended up with a really interesting ale. I didn't lager or cold store for the recommended time, just cold crashed before packaging. I then used it to brew a historic lager recipe, double pitching and fermenting at 14 degrees, cold crashing then lagering. The result was superb and clean. Highly recommended.
Yeast name: US Pale Ale
Type: Unspecified ale yeast
Temperature range: 17-22
Attenuation: 73-82%
Flocculation: 75-76%
Number of times I've used it: 2
They say: Suitable for English Ales, Scottish Heavy Ales, American Amber Ales, Sweet Stouts and more. A top-fermenting ale yeast suitable for a variety of full bodied ales, with exceptional depth.
I say: Again, I can't knock this yeasts price or performance. Also starts really quickly, and finishes with good attenuation. Flocculation was much poorer than the quoted figures to be honest.. Unfortunately, both times I have used it I have been left with a yeasty taste in the resultant beer as with the Real Ale yeast. This drives me crackers as I can't see why when everyone else seemingly gets on really well with these yeasts, and this is a different strain so why am I getting the same taste on all 4 occasions?. Again, I won't be using this again, but as per the real ale yeast, I'm in a minority here, so give it a go.
Manufacturer: CrossmyloofYeast name: Kölsch
Type: Kölsch lager ale yeast
Temperature range: 15 - 22°c
Attenuation: 75-82%
Flocculation: 80-81%
Number of times I've used it: 1
They say: Kölsch lager ale yeast is a top fermenting lager clone yeast and produces a clean lager aroma without the associated sulphur. This yeast is perfect for most kinds of lager. Ferment at lower temps for a cleaner taste and extended lagering time will produce a cleaner brew. 2 packs may be required if fermenting below the recommended temperatures. Can’t ferment at 15c? Room temp will do just fine… COLD AGE FOR 8 WEEKS for best results.
I say: After some email conversations with CML themselves, who were as helpfull as always, it emerges that you can pitch this as low as 12° if you double the pitch rate (i.e. use two packs!). Not a problem for such a cheap yeast. I did this to produce a historic pseudo lager and the results were fantastic. Clean, malty, very thirst quenching. I will be using this again without a doubt.
Yeast name: M42 New World Strong Ale Yeast
Type: Top fermenting ale yeast
Temperature range: 16-22°c
Attenuation: 77 - 82%
Flocculation: High
Number of times I've used it: 1
They say: A top-fermenting ale strain suitable for many types of ales of all strengths. Ferments with a neutral yeast aroma to ensure the full character of the malts and hops are prominent in each beer.
Suitable for IPA's, Porters, Russian Imperial Stouts and more.
I say: Wow! Chomps through the wort leaving a reasonably dry ale that really allows the malt and hops to shine through. But it isn't 'bland' like some US pale style yeasts ~ its really tasty, but in a thirst quenching kind of way. With the classic Fuggles / EKG combo, it produces a really juicy ale, for instance. But, boy does it attenuate! Will deffo use this again.
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