Yeast Fundamentals for Homebrewers (2/16/13)

Early registration is now available for our next Yeast Fundamentals for Homebrewers course held at our San Diego location. Sign up before January 15th and save $25 on registration. These info-packed courses tend to sell out quick, so sign up soon if you want to secure your spot! The course covers a range of topics with the homebrewer specifically in mind, including yeast strain selection, flavor impact and pitching rates, as well as in-depth information on yeast starters and proper handling.

Speakers include Chris White, Neva Parker, Kara Taylor and John Carroll.

For more information, contact info@whitelabs.com

Belgian Dubbel Reserve

WLP510 Bastogne Ale Yeast returns in January for a limited time as a Platinum Strain. Curious what to brew with it? Try out this great dubbel recipe!

Belgian Dubbel Reserve (5 gallon, all-grain)

Malt 8 lbs Pilsen Malt

1 lb. Caracrystal Wheat Malt

1 lb Aromatic Malt

8 oz. Carabrown Malt

4 oz Carapils Malt

1 lb Cane Sugar

1 tsp Irish Moss

Hops 1 oz. Saaz Hops (60min boil)

WLP510 Bastogne Belgian Ale Yeast

Mash grains in 3 gallons water at 155-160 F for 45 minutes.  Sparge wort and collect to 5 gallons.

Add bittering hops and bring to a boil.  Boil for 60 minutes.  Heat Cane Sugar in saucepan. Stir constantly until liquid and slightly browned.  Add Cane Sugar and Irish Moss. Boil 15 more minutes.  Cool to 70º ­F, oxygenate wort and add 2 vials WLP510 Bastogne Belgian Ale yeast.

What are you brewing with WLP510? We’d love to hear!

Under the Microscope: WLP665 Flemish Ale Blend

Raise your hand if you like Cuvee des Jacobins. How about Rodenbach Grand Cru? I thought as much. West Flanders is known for having given birth to and inspired some of the most revered beers on the planet. Our WLP665 Flemish Ale Blend strain is ideally suited to making Oud Bruins and Flanders Red Ales in the spirit of the aforementioned brews. This yeast debuted earlier in the year as a Platinum Strain and, due to popular demand, will return as a year-round offering in 2013. A proprietary blend of Saccharomyces yeasts, Brettanomyces, Lactobacillus and Pediococcus, WLP665 creates the complex, funky flavor and aroma profiles that characterize the wonderful, distinctive ales of West Flanders.

5,000 vials in Norfolk

Chris White visited Homebrew USA in Norfolk, VA last week to brew a collaborative beer and celebrate the shop’s collection of 5,000 White Labs vials. While in the area, Chris checked out local breweries such as Beach Brewing Company and Smartmouth Brewing and spent a great afternoon brewing beer and hanging out with the local homebrewing and craft beer community. Chris looks forward to visiting more homebrew shops in 2013 for to celebrate the 5,000 vial milestone.

 

Bastogne Belgian Ale Platinum Strain Returns in Jan. ’13!

January sees the release of three Platinum Strain varieties, including one that we get a lot of questions/requests for: WLP510 Bastogne Belgian Ale Yeast. This high gravity Trappist-style yeast is ideally suited for those big beers that keep us warm throughout the winter, such as Belgian ales, dubbels and trippels. This yeast is a strong fermenter and produces spicy aromatics and dark fruit notes as well as a slightly tart finish. Moreover, it’s a very versatile strain that produces very little phenolic character. It’s also a superb option for an Orval clone. Once 2013 rolls around, ask about it at your local homebrew shop!

Homebrewers, how’s your QC?

Our Alcohol Test Kit Plus let’s you test your beer like the pros. Each kit includes an ABV test for one sample and is postage paid. You can easily add more analytical tests when you register your sample. Ask about it at your local homebrew shop or order online!