Kit Yeast

[kymg]

I have a question.

There has been some discussion and from the gist of it the kit yeast aren't much chop.

This being the case, why do the manufacturers supply something that is less than ideal?

I am sure we can all modify things to our own taste but generally speaking what is wrong with that supplied

Cheers and Beers

[Kevnlis]

The main concern is the way the yeast is stored and the age of said yeast. Most kit yeasts are pretty tough and very rarely don't get the job done, however there are better yeasts for every style. Have a go at a saf yeast and you will see the difference for yourself.

[KEG]

kits yeasts are provided cos they're generally more bulletproof than other varieties. they don't necessarily make bad beer - in the USA, Cooper's yeast is fairly popular, for example. there's just sometimes a more specific dry or liquid yeast that will suit the style better and make for a much better beer.

[SpillsMostOfIt]

I guess there is also the perception that when you buy a Saf yeast you will be buying something that has been stored correctly ever since it left the lab. This is of course not actually the case all the time.

You can pretty much *guarantee* that the yeast that falls off the top of the tin of goop sat in a freight rail carriage in the hot South Australian midday sun on its way to your local supermarket.

I've made some pretty good beers with Coopers kit yeast and I've made some quite ordinary beers with Saf and Wyeast yeasts.

Look mum - no commas!

[Chris]

Coopers (and others) push their product as easy, fast and cheap. They provide a yeast that (as previously mentioned) is hard to kill, and thaat chews through the fermentables pretty quickly. This is also the reason that they suggest fermenting the brew out at higher than ideal temperatures.

This is not always what is best for your beer.