white labs or wyeast?

[losman26]

It's a personal preference, but what do you prefer? I've done a lot more brews with wyeast, because that's what's available, but I honestly have to say that the white labs beers have been better and more memorable. I'll take the wlp 001 California ale any day over the 1056.

[swenocha]

I'm not a big fan of the tubes, as it's darn near impossible to get them open without spewing them, though it appears that they are changing to different packaging soon. I've made good beers with yeasts from either, so I'm somewhat indifferent. I'm a fan of Southyeast Labs right now, however.

[mashani]

In general I prefer Wyeast, however what I can get local is White Labs, so often I use that. But yeah I don't like the spewing either. Every time I open one of those things I scream "Swenocha!".

[braukasper]

Since I started washing yeast I have come to use White Labs more. Because of the tubes, easy storage for me. With making starters I no longer see much use for the smac-pak. It is the inner pac that holds the yeast.

[Inkleg]

I changed how I open the WL tubes and it has stopped my spewing problems.
I store them upright in a cup in the fridge and as soon as I pull them out I Slowly crack the cap just enough to release pressure then tighten back down. You know, kinda like opening a coke bottle when you think it might spew. I store it it upright while I'm making the starter and periodically slowly crack the cap and shake it. Lather, rinse and repeat until it's time to make the starter.
I have yet to have a spewer since.

As far as to which yeast, I'll use either.

[Rebel_B]

I prefer the Wyeast. Seems to turn quicker at all three of my LHBS, judging by package dates. I believe the inner pack is the wort, I've had at least one occasion, where I've discovered the inner pack not smacked/opened, but the pack expanded once warm anyway. I discarded the unopened inner and pitched the yeast with a fine result.

[braukasper]

My bad it is the outer pac that holds the yeast.

[philm00x]

I use Wyeast because that's what my LHBS carries. Honestly, never had bad results w/ any of their strains.

[Kealia]

WhiteLabs here. For no good reason other than I started with them and have been happy.

[dbrowning]

It's a personal preference, but what do you prefer? I've done a lot more brews with wyeast, because that's what's available, but I honestly have to say that the white labs beers have been better and more memorable. I'll take the wlp 001 California ale any day over the 1056.

Im going white Labs EVERY time from now on
Only been ordering liquid yeast for a short time
But out of 2 Wyeast 1 was dead .. that's 50%
Out of 6 White Labs all have ben good and made great beer
Best Ive made (well ... except for a couple of Rye Pale Ales made with S33 and Notty)

[mashani]

FWIW: I've never gotten a dead wyeast pack and I've used a lot. So... bummer you did, but I don't think it's "normal".

[BigPapaG]

FWIW: I've never gotten a dead wyeast pack and I've used a lot. So... bummer you did, but I don't think it's "normal".

Agreed, in fact I have never had a problem with ANY manufacturer of yeast, liquid or dry...

I tend to use Wyeast as my LHBS has more of that, but they do order in White Labs as needed.

[philm00x]

I guess I've never had to deal with dead yeast since I don't have to order it online. I'm always able to pick up a smack pack from the LHBS, and they carry almost all Wyeast strains in stock, stored in a yeast-specific temp-controlled fridge. Dry yeast is never an issue either but it stores better than liquid, of course.

[DaYooper]

FWIW: I've never gotten a dead wyeast pack and I've used a lot. So... bummer you did, but I don't think it's "normal".

On that note, one of the benefits of Wyeast is that by smacking the pack you can tell right off that all is good especially if you dont use a starter.

[Beer-lord]

My LHBS has both and while maybe not each companies whole inventory, they do have most. And, when the expire, they sell them cheap, though I rarely grab those.
I prefer Wyeast because I find it easier to work with. No matter what I do with the vials, release the pressure, put the cap back on then shake......they still want to blow up a bit and there's a chance you can loose some so to me, White Labs loses a few points for that. (and because I'm OCD)