We love pitching fresh wort onto yeast cakes from beers we just brewed. You need to prepare a little bit more than you would for a single brew session but if you take the time, your effort will be rewarded. The trick is to find two beer styles that can be brewed with the same yeast strain. This technique can be employed with great results in lagers but can also be used for ales or hybrid beers as we learn with Mike’s latest creations: a Kolsch and an Alt. Watch this video to learn how he brewed two beers using the same yeast strain:

Kolsch and Alt Together Again For The First Time

If you haven’t brewed either of these styles before, you should especially if you are a homebrewer that doesn’t have the capabilities (fridge with a temp controller) to brew lager beers. Both Kolschs and Alts have lager-like qualities and are easy to perfect in cold basement temperatures. If you brew in climates where you have cold winters, these may be the styles for you.

Kolsch is a super clean pale ale that uses noble hops. The yeast strain produces a very crisp beer and it makes for a great tasting brew that pairs well with summer afternoons.

Alt beer is great malt bomb. It satisfies your need for maltiness without any roasty flavors. I comment on Mike’s beer that it has an essence of molasses to it and it tastes like what Wheaties would taste like without the sweetness.

Both beers finish clean and have a wonderful balanced flavor with the hops.

The Magic of Repitching Yeast

Besides brewing these styles, the technique of repitching yeast; that is, pitching yeast that has gone through a recent fermentation, will lead to excellent results. If you keep your process clean, the second beer tends to be cleaner and more refined in its taste. With some planning, you too can master this process.

When I have brewed two beers close together, I transfer the first beer into a secondary fermentor and then I move my chilled wort right onto the yeast cake. Fermentation starts right away and it is vigorous as you can imagine.

Give it a try in a future brew session.

Brew on.