Wyeast 1332 Northwest Ale - anyone brewed with this??

[greggor]

I brewed a pale ale with this yeast, I normally use 1056 for this beer but my LHBS was out of it. My fermentation was on the cool side (about 60F) I really preferred this yeast over the 1056 for the added complexity in the malt profile. I just brewed the same recipe again last night using the NW ale yeast again this time I mashed cooler 150 (vs 154 last time) to make it more of a summer Pale ale, I'll let you know how it turned out in a week or so. I detect no tartness in this yeast but I do ferment cool (no higher than 65F).

[Kbar]

Hey all. Just used this yeast in a Amber NW Cascde Ale.

Not happy with it, I see the same hints of tartness that is referred to above. I am ashamed to say I am an extract brewer until I dump money into the all grain system soon. The poor taste could also be "Extract Twang", but I have never had this tart of a beer. I only used Cascade Hops as I was trying for a Hammerhaed Clone (MCMenamins).

Did not hit the FG of 1.010, instead, got stuck at 1.014 with a OG of 1.050. Did ferment fairly warm though ~69F-72F.

[Brandon]

I am ashamed to say I am an extract brewer until I dump money into the all grain system soon. The poor taste could also be "Extract Twang", but I have never had this tart of a beer.

You shouldn't be ashamed of extract brewing. There is nothing wrong with that. However if you are wanting to go all grain, use Denny Conn's set up and you will start saving money. Extract is too expensive, grain is cheap.
http://hbd.org/cascade/dennybrew/

[Kbar]

Thanks Brandon - going to read the article now!

Happy Brewing!

[Evan B]

It is Hale's strain. I am a former employee of the brewery, and can tell you this yeast is not awesome at all. Greg, the current brewer, wishes that Mike Hale would budge and give up his stubborness and use another strain. I did talk to Greg last week and he said he has improved results recently by fermenting cooler, around 65 or so. If you really want to try this strain, I'd go that route. I have noticed a huuuuge improvement in the beers since he's done this.

[Kbar]

Nice to be on the inside

Thanks for the information - my ferm temps were mid 70's sometimes.