Can't find Thames Valley yeast

[BleedingSaynt]

My local homebrew shop doesn't have Thames Valley. I want to brew a smoked mild. Any suggestions on a substitute? They don't have any White Labs, only Wyeast.

[BDawg]

I'd go with WY1028 or WY1968.
Alternatively, Danstar Nottingham dry yeast would work well here too.

[NateBrews]

Agreed. Of the two, my preference is 1968 but that is only because I have used it a lot and like what it makes.

[brewinhard]

I am looking forward to trying out the new PC Thames Valley II yeast coming up in the next release from Wyeast. Going to brew up an ESB with it.

[BleedingSaynt]

Thanks for the advice. The shop ordered some, but I wanted to brew today. I'm not a big fan of using dry yeast, so I'll give the 1968 a try.

[NateBrews]

With the 1968, remember that it floc's out hard when it does. If you make a starter for it (which is always a good idea), it will turn into something that looks like egg drop soup if it is on a stir plate, otherwise it will turn into little pillows of yeast. I usually ferment mine at 64, then up to 68 at the end.

[BleedingSaynt]

I ended up not brewing the other day after all, but thanks for the heads up on the flocculation. I don't have a stir plate, but I still do my starters in an erlenmeyer flask and shake them whenever I can. Now I know what to expect.