Why Brewers Choose Fermentis
The World Leader in Yeast Solutions
Brewers across the globe trust Fermentis active dry yeast for the production of award-winning beers. It’s much the same with distillers, winemakers, and cider makers. Over the last 20 years, Fermentis by Lesaffre has solidified its position as the market leader with a microscopic-like focus on quality, selection, and innovation.
The proof is in their product line: Fermentis SafeAle™ and SafLager™ yeast strains have the highest viable cell density specs with the lowest contaminant limits in the dried brewer’s yeast market. Simply put, when you purchase Fermentis yeast, you get more of what you want and less of what you don’t.
We know comparing technical yeast data can be confusing. Some of the numbers are very big; some are indescribably small. That’s why we ran a survey comparing five different dried yeast brands against Fermentis. When you plot it out on a graph, the numbers don’t lie: Fermentis packs more viable cells into a 500g brick, and they do a better job keeping contaminants out. Check our math and you’ll agree.
Ten Billion Reasons to Brew with Fermentis
In our independent survey of major brands sold in North America, we determined Fermentis yeast takes first place with the lowest contaminant specifications AND the highest viable yeast specification, shared by only one other brand. (No, we won’t name them.)
Brewers know buying yeast is about the numbers. When you buy a single 500-gram brick of Fermentis SafeAle™ it’s equivalent to two 500-gram bricks of yeast from most competitors. Because their superior production and packaging process delivers more viable yeast with a much lower cfu (colony-forming unit) spec for contaminants., Fermentis is by far the best value.
We encourage you to crack open a Pepsi Pilsner and repeat this exercise anytime you’d like. Drop us a line or give us a call if the results aren’t straightforward. Maybe we can hash it out together over beers.
Zooming Out
We’ve shown you Fermentis has more viable cells and fewer contaminants than the competition. You also know that using Fermentis Active Dry Yeast will save you time in the lab and in the tank. If you’d like to pocket some additional savings on shipping and storage, there’s a compelling case to be made for making the switch. When you’re ready to see the difference Fermentis can make in your brewery, get started with one or more of the quality, consistent strains below.
Light Lagers, Mexican Lagers, and Asian-Style Lagers: SafLager™ E‑30
SafLager™ E-30 produces higher levels of esters than other SafLager™ strains. When fermented at higher temperatures, some subtle isoamyl acetate production is possible. More attenuative than S-33 and S-189, SafLager™ E-30 is low in sulfur and diacetyl production.
American-Style IPA: SafAle™ US-05
A workhorse American ale yeast producing neutral and well-balanced ales, it’s clean and crispy. Known for a firm foam head and its ability to stay in suspension during fermentation, it’s ideal for highly hopped American-style IPAs.
English Ales, American Ales, and New England IPAs: SafAle™ S-04
Selected for its fast fermentation profile, this English ale yeast produces balanced fruity and floral notes and beers with higher clarity. Ideal for a large range of American and English Ales, including highly hopped beers, it is specially adapted to cask-conditioned and beers fermented in cylindro-conical tanks.
Belgians and New England IPAs: SafAle™ S-33
Known for producing excellent body and mouthfeel in Belgian Blonds and Dubbels, as well as strong English ales (ex. Imperial Stouts). With medium sedimentation and no formation of clumps, it is also ideal for enhancing hoppy and fruity expressions in New England IPAs and other ales.
German Ales and Belgian Wits: SafAle™ K-97
When a subtle fermentation character is wanted, this German ale yeast tends to present a balanced floral and fruity character. Suitable in delicate German Kolsch beers, Belgian Wits, and Session Ales, it forms a large firm head and stands up to high hop loads.
Bocks, Pilsners, and Lagers: SafLager™ S-189
Originating from the Hürlimann brewery in Switzerland, this strain’s neutral profile produces highly drinkable, elegant lagers. Depending on the conditions, it tends to present noticeable herbal and floral notes in Bocks, Pilsners, and other lager beers.
Hoppy and Fruity Lagers: SafLager™ S-23
Originating from Berlin, Germany, this high-floc bottom-fermenting yeast is recommended for lagers where a notable presence of esters is desired. Great for beers with a good length on the palate, S-23 ideal for a wide range of lagers and Pilsners.
The World’s Most Popular Lagers: SafLager™ W-34/70
Famous within the brewing industry, this strong and robust yeast strain from Weihenstephan in Germany is used world-wide to produce clean, highly drinkable beers with a good balance of floral and fruity aromas.
Spicy Belgians and Saisons: SafAle™ BE‑134
Recommended for well-attenuated beers, it offers up fruity, floral and phenolic notes and a dry character. Known for producing highly refreshing beers, it is ideal for Belgian-Saison style.
German and Belgian Wheat Beers: SafAle™ WB‑06
With its fruity and phenolic character, which varies with the fermentation conditions, SafAle WB-06 produces well-attenuated wheat-base beers, such as the Wit Beers and Weizen Beers from Belgium and Germany. Known for its high drinkability, it presents a strong ability to suspend during fermentation.
English and Belgian Ales with High Phenols: SafAle™ T-58
Selected for its strong fruity and phenolic flavors, specifically notes of banana, clove and peppery, it is suitable for a great variety of wheat-base beers and fruity-spicy oriented styles. With a medium sedimentation, it forms no clumps but a powdery haze when resuspended in the beer.
Fermentis Makes Math Easy (BBL)
Fermentis Makes Math Easy (hL)
Want to print off these pitch rate charts and hang ’em in your brewhouse? Click here.
Additional Resources:
Demistify Active Dry Yeast Hugo Picard- Fermentis webinar
Rehydration vs Direct Pitching of Active Dry Yeast – Fermentis webinar
Brewing with E2U™
10 Little Known Facts About Yeast
10 Reasons to Use Fermentis Active Dry Yeast
Simplify Fermentation with Fermentis Active Dry Yeast
Talking Yeast with Olaf Morgenroth, Head Brewer at Fermentis