West Coast IPA has been a mainstay beer style for many craft breweries. This beer style has evolved over the years, but some things remain the same: a bitter, clean, highly attenuative beer bursting with intense hop character. Here are some quick tips and tricks to consider when crafting your next West Coast IPA. Dial…
Read more
Brewzyme-D is a new White Labs product that’s designed to be added on the cold side. This ALDC enzyme reduces the flavor of diacetyl and makes more consistent fermentations in shorter times. It has a renewed interest right now because of dry-hop beers and hop creep. It was something that people liked for lager beers,…
Read more
Purpose Diacetyl is a common buttery off-flavor that occurs during fermentation. Alpha-acetolactate, the precursor to diacetyl, can also remain in beer after fermentation and is odorless. Once the yeast is removed from beer, this precursor is converted to diacetyl, leaving residual buttery character. Compound Spotlight: Diacetyl This method is a quick and easy way to…
Read more
Stop Diacetyl in its tracks Prevent the Formation of Diacetyl during Fermentation. What is Diacetyl? Diacetyl formation is a natural byproduct of yeast fermentation. When yeast consumes sugars, it creates amino acids, mainly valine; meanwhile, α-acetolactate is created as a byproduct of amino acid metabolism. Excess α-acetolactate leaks out of the yeast cell and is…
Read more
Compound Spotlight: Diacetyl Category: Usually undesirable Aroma: Butter, butterscotch Threshold (in beer): 50-100ppb Introduction to Diacetyl Diacetyl is a chemical compound produced by brewer’s yeast which can be reminiscent of butter or buttered popcorn. While a few styles (e.g. some English ales and European lagers) have low levels of diacetyl, it is generally considered undesirable…
Read more