Danstar has released this new strain of yeast.  Dry yeast is great for convenience and price, but often limited only by its lack of strain selections when compared to the liquid yeast companies.  I thought it interesting to note that there was something new to consider when making a dry yeast choice.

Name: Danstar BRY-97 West Coast Ale Yeast

Description: A top fermenting ale yeast that comes out of the Siebel Institute Culture Collection (not sure why its been released for commercialization through Danstar though.) Reported to be a quick fermenter, completing fermentation in as little as 4 days (at 63F!).  A medium to high attentuator depending upon the pitching conditions and temperature.  Flocculation is driven by cold crashing.  Flocculation rate my result in a minor decrease in bitterness.  A slight estery aroma and clean flavor profile.

Cell density: Greater than 5 billion cells per gram

Recommended usage: 1g of activated yeast to 1L of wort (~20g/5gal); pitch rate can be manipulated to suit beer style.  I assume higher rate would be a cleaner flavor profile, and a lower rate would generate more esters.

Overall thoughts:  Seems like a slightly more flocculating version of American Ale yeast (WLP001 or US05).  The faster ferment and slight ester quality and higher flocculation rate however makes it sound like relatively “cleaner” version of an English Ale strain.  Perhaps fermenting it at 70F would be more fruity.  I haven’t used this one yet, but it might warrant some side by side experiments.

Let us know if you’ve given this one a try yet.

BREW ON!