What Is Brewers Yeast?

Brewers yeast is a mineral rich microorganism that is accountable for the fermentation of beer and contributes to the flavor and to the aroma of your beer. It is added to the hops and malted barley. The yeast

cells then convert simple sugars into carbon dioxide and alcohol. This is known as yeast fermentation.

Specific strains of yeast are chosen depending on the type of beer produced. The two main strains of brewers yeast:

Top Fermenting (ale yeast)
Bottom Fermenting (lager yeast)

Other variations are available as well.

Top Fermenting Yeasts (ale yeast) form a thick foam at the top of the wort during fermentation. They prefer higher temperatures. This type of yeast is used to produce ales, porters, stouts, and wheat beers.

Bottom Fermenting Yeasts (lager yeast) settle near the bottom at the end of fermentation. These yeasts prefer lower temperatures. This type of yeast is used to produce american malt liquors, bocks, lagers and pilsners.

Yeast Types

Brewers yeast comes in wet and dry. Both types are stored in the refrigerator to keep it dormant until you are ready to use it.

WET - Liquid yeasts are pure cultures or blends of pure cultures in liquid form.

ADVANTAGES:
Large Variety Of Strains
Wide Range Of Flavors

DISADVANTAGES:
Expensive
More Equipment Needed
Starter Required For Best Results
Shorter Shelf Life

DRY - Powder yeasts are dehydrated yeasts.

ADVANTAGES:
Quick
Convenient
Costs Less
No Starter Required
Longer Shelf Life

DISADVANTAGES:
Limited Range Of Varieties

Brewers yeast is different than bakers yeast, nutritional yeast and tortula yeast. It is higher in chromium and tastes bitter. Yet all yeast needs food in the form of sugar, moisture, warmth and air to survive, ferment and grow. Get it too hot and you'll kill it.