Fermentis is pleased to announce that SafBrew­™ BR-8 is now available in a homebrewer format: a 5-gram sachet. This yeast strain is known for its ability to produce unique and complex flavors in beer and is a popular choice among homebrewers who enjoy experimenting with different yeast strains. With the availability of SafBrew­™ BR-8, homebrewers now have access to a powerful tool for creating new and exciting beer styles. This is a significant development for homebrewing community and opens new possibilities for their creativity and experimentation.

A few things to know about SafBrew­™ BR-8:

SafBrew­™ BR-8 is the first Brettanomyces yeast available in a dry format. It provides all the funky flavors of a wild “Brett” yeast with more control and reliability.

This yeast strain is characterized by the production of phenolic compounds, responsible for many of the funky descriptors such as horse blanket, leather, and barnyard aromatics at the end of fermentation.

Now available in a 5-gram sachet, homebrewers can explore new horizons thanks to this very specific yeast.

Used during secondary fermentation, SafBrew­™ BR-8 assimilates mono-, di- and tri-saccharides (glucose, maltose, and maltotriose) but not all sugars, unlike other Brett yeasts. 

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This prevents beers from gushing or being over-saturated and the fewer residual sugars will also provide better drinkability.

Another aspect of this yeast strain is that all the typical flavors and aromatic compounds will develop over time. Maturation is very important, and we recommend a minimum time of one month to allow the SafBrew­™ BR-8 to start revealing its funky notes. There is no optimal maturation time, it is all about what beer you want to make.

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How to use SafBrew™ BR-8?

SafBrew­™ BR-8 is used in a secondary fermentation, the wort alcohol concentration is too high to pitch directly. Direct pitching might affect the yeast’s efficiency. Therefore, we recommend rehydrating SafBrew­™ BR-8 before using.

Rehydration:

  • Sprinkle the yeast in at least 10 times its weight of sterile water at a temperature of 25°C to 29°C (77°F to 84.2°F).
  • Leave to rest for 15 to 30 minutes.
  • Gently stir until obtaining a yeast cream before pitching it into beer.

Bottle fermentation:

  • Add 5 to 10 grams of sugar per liter of beer (0.67 to 1.3 oz/gal) to obtain an additional saturation of 2.5 to 5.0 g/L of CO2 (0.33 to 0.67 oz/gal of CO2).
  • Pitch the sweetened beer at fermentation temperature with the rehydrated yeast.
  • Carbonation will be achieved in 1 to 3 months of maturation.
  • At the end of refermentation, the beer can be cooled down and will gain in roundness after 2 to 3 weeks.

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The primary fermentation is very important to allow the typical funky flavors of SafBrew­™ BR-8 to develop correctly. We recommend using a maltotriose-positive yeast (a yeast strain able to assimilate maltotriose), otherwise, the residual sugars concentration would be too high at the end of the primary fermentation.

Homebrewers are known for their creativity and experimentation when it comes to brewing beer. SafBrew­™ BR-8 is a great tool to create unique beers and to push the boundaries of traditional styles with new and exciting flavors. At Fermentis, this creativity and passion are what drive us to continue providing brewers with high-quality yeast!

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