Common Brewing Yeast Strains Reference
Yeast choice has a massive impact on your finished beer — sometimes more than hops or grain. Attenuation determines how dry or sweet the beer finishes, temperature range affects ester production, and flocculation influences clarity. This guide covers the most popular strains available to UK homebrewers.
Popular Ale Yeasts
| Strain | Attenuation (%) | Temp Range (°C) | Flocculation | Flavour Profile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safale US-05 | 78–82 | 15–24 | Medium | Clean, neutral American ale |
| Safale S-04 | 73–77 | 15–24 | High | Classic English ale, fruity esters |
| Nottingham (Lallemand) | 77–82 | 14–21 | High | Neutral, clean, very versatile |
| Windsor (Lallemand) | 65–70 | 15–22 | Low | Fruity, estery, full-bodied finish |
| WLP001 / Wyeast 1056 | 73–80 | 16–22 | Medium | Clean American ale, very neutral |
| WLP002 / Wyeast 1968 | 63–70 | 16–22 | Very high | Malty, fruity, classic English (Fuller's style) |
| WLP004 / Wyeast 1084 | 69–74 | 16–22 | Medium–high | Fruity, complex, Irish ale |
| Verdant IPA (Lallemand) | 74–78 | 18–23 | Low | Fruity, haze-positive, juicy |
| Kveik Voss (Lallemand) | 75–82 | 25–40 | High | Orange peel, tropical, fast fermenter |
| WLP500 / Wyeast 1214 | 75–80 | 18–28 | Medium–low | Spicy, fruity, Belgian (Chimay style) |
| Safbrew T-58 | 72–78 | 15–24 | Low | Spicy, peppery, Belgian character |
| WB-06 (Safbrew) | 86–90 | 18–24 | Low | Banana, clove, wheat beer |
Popular Lager Yeasts
| Strain | Attenuation (%) | Temp Range (°C) | Flocculation | Flavour Profile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saflager W-34/70 | 80–84 | 9–15 | High | Clean, crisp, versatile lager |
| Saflager S-23 | 80–84 | 9–15 | High | Fruity, estery at higher temps |
| WLP830 / Wyeast 2124 | 74–79 | 9–13 | Medium | Malty, smooth, classic Bavarian |
| WLP800 / Wyeast 2001 | 72–78 | 8–13 | Medium | Dry, crisp, Czech Pilsner |
| Diamond Lager (Lallemand) | 77–83 | 10–15 | High | Clean, neutral, reliable |
Dry yeasts (Safale, Saflager, Lallemand) are widely available from UK homebrew shops and do not require a starter. Liquid yeasts (WLP, Wyeast) benefit from a yeast starter for best results.
Yeast Calculators
Calculate pitch rates, starter sizes and fermentation schedules:
- Yeast Calculators — pitch rate calculator, yeast starter calculator and more
Attenuation and temperature ranges are manufacturer specifications under ideal conditions. Actual performance varies with wort composition, pitch rate, oxygenation and fermentation temperature control. Always ferment on the cooler end of the range for cleaner results.