best yeast for irish stout?

[rhelton]

My next batch is going to be an irish stout kit. I don't think I'm going to use the yeast that comes in the kit. The last kit I used, as you may have read in the other thread, had a yeast packet that was DOA. As this kit came from the same place I think it's safe to assume that the yeast packet may be dead.

So, should I try a liquid yeast this time? Someone mentioned a "smack" pack. Smacking it just get's it activated right?

Thanks
Ryan

[ray m]

I think you should definitely get liquid yeast. You're ensured of high quality yeast packaged in very sterile conditions. The smack packs from Wyeast have a little bulge in the center that contains the nutrients to get it started in the pouch. There's another thread in the "yeast" section here where some members give some tips on how to make sure that little nutrient pouch gets broken.

[steveh]

I recently used the White Labs Irish Ale liquid yeast, making a starter the night before brewing, that worked very well and the brew is tasting quite nice. The White labs comes in a little test tube though, not the smack-pack.

S.

[fretlessman71]

steveh, was it for THAT stout? Because that's the same stuff that I used on mine. I think you're going to be really happy with it! :D

[steveh]

Only beer I've made in a year, so yeah. :/

Oh, and it definitely is tasting good!

S.

[fretlessman71]

Now, was yours all-grain adapted from a kit, or what?

[steveh]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
Now, was yours all-grain adapted from a kit, or what?

Whoops - nearly missed this -- here's the kit we used: Oatmeal Stout (http://www.morebeer.com/product.html?product_id=18362), except I opted for the Irish Stout yeast and we also added some lactose in with about 20 minutes left in the boil.

We also started using my sparge bucket again, with a sparge bag and being careful to keep a consistent cap of water on the grain bed. I think we'd been over-sparging in the past -- this should be a good brew!

S.

[fretlessman71]

My StoutPorter was a Brewer's Best Irish Stout kit. I'm sure yours will turn out to be way better!

[YamahaXS]

Wyeast Irish Ale yeast; 1.5 quart starter batch.



Me Oatmeal Stout turned out great!

[steveh]

Originally posted by YamahaXS
Wyeast Irish Ale yeast; 1.5 quart starter batch.

Me Oatmeal Stout turned out great!

Good to hear - though I only started with about a pint-and-a-half starter, it was going great by the time we pitched.

S.

I dunno Fret - yers was pretty good!

[wild]

Originally posted by YamahaXS
Wyeast Irish Ale yeast; 1.5 quart starter batch.
I agree. Use the Wyeast 1084 Irish Ale or the WLP 004 Irish Ale yeasts. My second choice would be the Wyeast 1728 Scottish Ale Yeast or the WLP028 Edinburgh Scottish Ale Yeast. I've had a lot of luck with the Edinburgh yeast from White Labs.

Wild

[YamahaXS]

Originally posted by steveh
Good to hear - though I only started with about a pint-and-a-half starter, it was going great by the time we pitched.

S.

I dunno Fret - yers was pretty good!

ahh i had myself a 10 gallon batch so I split the starter between two fermentors.

[rhelton]

An update on my stout.

I brewed on Sat. afternoon and used the White Labs Irish Ale yeast. Everything went smoothly and I have to say the best part was using the wort chiller that I bought! That was soooo much more efficient than the ice bath that I tried to use last time. The stout took about 24 hours to really get down to business but as of this morning it's got a good inch or two of foam on top and the airlock is bubbling every 6 to 8 seconds. Also, I've got it in a glass carboy..so much better and more fun!

Well, that's it. I'll let you know how things progress.

[Fast_Eddy]

I have one comment on 1084. Be very careful about the temp unless you want a little fruitiness in your stout. 1084 starts making fruity esters at around 69F.

[Trogger]

Originally posted by Fast_Eddy
I have one comment on 1084. Be very careful about the temp unless you want a little fruitiness in your stout. 1084 starts making fruity esters at around 69F.

I've read about this before. I made a stout and kept it around 65 with this yeast. It worked well.