40 Years of Living Culture
Wyeast Most Iconic Strains
ICONIC STRAIN COLLECTION
Behind craft brewing's most iconic beers are the strains that helped bring them to life. For 40 years, Wyeast's most celebrated liquid yeast strains have delivered the consistency, character, and performance trusted by generations of brewers.
Strain 1056:
American Ale
Very clean, crisp flavor characteristics with low fruitness and mild ester production. A very versatile yeast for styles that desire dominant malt and hop character.
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Origin Story
1056 is the strain that built craft beer. Its deep historic origin is still lost to time, but the defining characteristics of this strain comes from its fame from Sierra Nevada Brewing Company’s Pale Ale. Our archive records indicate that we acquired this yeast from both Siebel Institute BRY 96 and Sierra Nevada, therefore having two “versions” at different points in archival time. Its iconic status today is earned from its legacy in thousands of brewhouses across the country (and globe); an excellent performing and versatile yeast with subtle characteristics is probably the most common ‘house strain’ for ale production, allowing brewers a diverse portfolio from a strain suited dozens of styles.
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Flavor Profile & Brewing Notes
This strain makes a wonderful “House” strain. Mild citrus notes develop with cooler 60-66 °F (15-19 °C) fermentations. Normally requires filtration for bright beers.
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Notable Breweries
Notable breweries past and present utilizing this strain include:
- Maine Beer Company
- Boxing Bear Brewing Co.
- Kona Brewing
- Great Lakes Brewing Co.
- August Schell Brewing Co.
- Accomplice Brewing
- Sweetwater Brewing Company
- Abita Brewing Co.
Strain 1318:
London Ale III
Originating from a traditional London brewery, this yeast has a wonderful malt and hop profile. It is a true top cropping strain with a fruity, very light and softly balanced palate. This strain will finish slightly sweet.
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Origin Story
1318 is building modern craft beer. Famous for its perfect suitability to the New England IPA, 1318 has been synonymous with hazy beer production for a decade. This strain’s iconic status is obvious when you see its influence in thousands of brewhouses. Known by the industry simply as ‘London 3’ or ‘LA3’ the history of 1318 is very exact: another Oregon icon, John Maier of Rogue Ales (then Bayfront Brewing) submitted this strain for isolation and maintenance from a Siebel Institute ampule, for the production of porters, ales, and his eclectic experimental styles.
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Flavor Profile & Brewing Notes
London Ale III has become synonymous with the production of New England IPAs, also known as a juicy IPA or hazy IPA, and balances well with the tropical fruit qualities from late and dry hop additions.
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Notable Breweries
Notable breweries past and present utilizing this strain include:
- Upland Brewing Co.
- Boxing Bear Brewing Co.
- Kona Brewing
- Great Lakes Brewing Co.
- Three Floyds Brewing
Strain 2124:
Bohemian Lager
This Carlsberg type yeast is the most widely used lager strain in the world, and is considered the ideal choice for brewing many traditional lager styles, as well as its versatility for Cold IPAs.
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Origin Story
2124 is the most sought after lager yeast for the broadest scope of styles: strong, traditional, malty German lagers to the advent of the Cold IPA. Its iconic status was defined nearly 40 years ago; microbreweries from around the country sought to have their own house strain of 2124 (Weihenstephan 34/70).
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Flavor Profile & Brewing Notes
This strain produces a distinct malty profile with some ester character and a crisp finish. A versatile strain, that is great to use with lagers or Pilsners for fermentations in the 45-55°F (8-12°C) range. It may also be used for Common beer production with fermentations at 65-68 °F (18-20 °C). A thorough diacetyl rest is recommended after fermentation is complete.
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Notable Breweries
Notable breweries past and present utilizing this strain include:
- Upland Brewing Co.
- Maine Beer Company
- Kona Brewing
- Abita Brewing Co.
- Hanabi Lager Co.
- Lagunitas Brewing Company
Photos from the archive
We sifted through our old invoices, lab notebooks, and handwritten tasting notes for references to our most iconic strains, helping trace their lineage back to the original parent cultures. Here are some of the highlights:
“We have been using Wyeast since we opened over 8 years ago and really love the company. I value the consistency of the product more than anything else. Their American Ale strain, while almost every supplier has a Chico stands out for me, as it gives off slight fruit flavors that others lack, and it flocs better than any other American Ale I have ever used.”
Accomplice Beer Company — Cheyenne, WY