Monthly Archives: September 2013

reader question: desert island yeast strain

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Sorry to do this two posts in a row, citizens, but this one is a stumper (and worthy of debate). Andrew writes:

I have recently moved to China. I will be in the US to see some friends in a couple of weeks and intend to bring a supply of hops and yeast back to China.

My question is, “what yeast would you take to China for a years worth of brewing?” Is there a strain that you absolutely couldn’t live without?

First off – unfair question!

I’ll do what I always do when I inevitably get asked what my favorite beer is, and give multiple answers. So secondly, yes – several strains.

Here’s my highly subjective and somewhat evasive, possibly unhelpful in narrowing it down, desert island list for broad categories I brew within at least a couple times a year:

  • for American-style ales: 1056 ‘merican
  • for Weizens: 3068 Weihenstephan
  • for Belgian-style ales: 3787 Trappist … or maybe 3522 Ardennes
  • for Bavarian lagers: 2487 Hella Bock
  • for Czech lagers: 2782 Staro Prague
  • for British ales: 1275 Thames Valley … or maybe 1469 West Yorkshire

And yours?

Reader question: Brett beers to try

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Reader Carl wrote:

I was recently at Surly’s taproom and tried both You’re in (Urine) Trouble and Misanthrope and was surprised by how much I liked them. I have not had any Brett beers before and now want to expand my tastes; do you have any suggestions for what I should try that are available in our (MN) market?

Help me out, citizens: what should Carl drink? I’ll go first:

MN-specific, two other beers I’ve had in the past year from local brewers that stand out in my mind were Surly Brett Liquor IPA and Pour Decisions St. Whatshername Tripel. They’re both limited-release, so keep your eyes peeled.

And you can’t go wrong with the classics: Cantillon, Boon, Hanssens, Rodenbach, Bockor Cuvee des Jacobins, Orval, Liefmans …