Oktoberfest (WLP820/833) FG

[TimmyR]

Right on AJ. My Dad tasted both batches. He liked the 833 batch, it has a sharper bitterness he said, and I agreed it tasted drier and the bitterness was more pronounced. The 820 has a real fruity ester taste.

Both batches are in kegs and I am re-warming to 50F for 2-weeks, then I plan to crash again and lager. The better of the two will get carbonated and bottled into 1/2L bottles for an Oktoberfest party the 3rd week in Oktoberfest.

[dmtaylor]

WLP820 is terrible stuff for many reasons.

1) It finishes at way too high gravity.

2) It is very sluggish and thus makes your batches more prone to infection.

3) The final beer just doesn't taste all that great. Nothing like the "Oktoberfest" that you would expect.

I have said it before and I'll say it again -- they need to take this crap off the market. There are dozens of better yeast strains out there. This is an old strain, still specified in old recipes, and just needs to die.

[brewinhard]

WLP820 is terrible stuff for many reasons.

1) It finishes at way too high gravity.

2) It is very sluggish and thus makes your batches more prone to infection.

3) The final beer just doesn't taste all that great. Nothing like the "Oktoberfest" that you would expect.

I have said it before and I'll say it again -- they need to take this crap off the market. There are dozens of better yeast strains out there. This is an old strain, still specified in old recipes, and just needs to die.

Sayin' it like it is!

[TimmyR]

Update - tasted both yesterday as I am carbonating for a party next week. They both could use some time, but taste remarkably similar and seem quite clean and tasty. Hoping to taste at full carbonation in a couple days or next week and see how the CO2 in solution changes it. Definitely not cloying nor overly sweet at this point.

[Rhoobarb]

WLP820 is terrible stuff for many reasons. ...

Huh. Interesting. I've used the Wyeast equivalent (2206) many times and love it. In fact, it is my go-to German lager strain. Nice & malty. I have tried the 2633 and still prefer 2206. I wonder why the WL version is so different?

FWIW, when I do a d'rest, I try and get it to room temp (~67oF) for 48 hrs., then cool.

[rfoushee]

I've used 833 multiple times and never had any luck getting my FG down to my expected target numbers. I switched to 830 and found that yeast to be more much compatible with my process. I've yet to have a batch made with 830 that didn't hit my expected FG.

[TimmyR]

I've used 833 multiple times and never had any luck getting my FG down to my expected target numbers. I switched to 830 and found that yeast to be more much compatible with my process. I've yet to have a batch made with 830 that didn't hit my expected FG.

Interesting. I'll have to rebrew and side-by-side 830 and 833.

[animaldoc]

I'm not clear on this issue, Dave .... how do you REALLY feel?