The most consumed beer family globally, lagers are diverse, though generally known for their light, crisp, and refreshing character. The sheer volume of lager beers consumed worldwide speaks to their enduring popularity and widespread appeal.

With a trend towards quality and drinkability emerging in the craft scene, more brewers are getting in on the action, offering traditional Continental styles such as Czech Pils or German Helles, or putting their own modern spin on lagers.

Introduction to Lager Yeast

The yeast used for the fermentation of lager beers is mainly Saccharomyces pastorianus (bottom fermenting). This yeast is a hybrid of two different yeast strains, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Saccharomyces eubayanus, which gives it distinct characteristics that set it apart from the yeast used in ale production.

SafLager™ is our range of active dry yeast (ADY) for lager beers. With six dedicated strains, brewers can create traditional brews, modern or specialty lager styles, and everything in between.

Understanding Lager Fermentation

Lager fermentation is generally a slower and cooler process compared to ale fermentation. Lager yeast thrives in lower temperatures, typically between 45-55°F (7-13°C). This slower fermentation allows for a more controlled and gradual process, resulting in a clean, crisp flavor profile in the final beer.

How to Choose the Right Yeast for Your Lager

When brewing lager beers, it is crucial to select an appropriate lager yeast strain that best suits your desired flavor profile and brewing conditions. Factors such as attenuation, flocculation, and temperature tolerance should be considered when choosing the right lager yeast for your recipe. Refer to each product’s Technical Data Sheet (TDS) for more information, and if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact our team of experts.

For those looking to craft exceptional lagers, here’s everything you need to know about our ADY solutions.

Yeasts for lager beers - product yeast range

SafLager™ SH-45 – ideal for enhancing hop thiol release in lager beers.

The newest addition to our SafLager™ range, this strain was selected for its ability to express aromatic compounds from the raw materials in beer, more specifically, the hops. SafLager™ SH-45 is ideal for expressing hop potential thanks to its ability to release and esterify thiols. As a result, lager beers crafted with SafLager™ SH-45 may present enhanced levels of fruitiness and intensified citrus and tropical notes.

SafLager™ SH-45 is fantastic for crafting hop-forward lagers like New Zealand Pilsners, India Pale Lagers (IPL) and Cold IPAs.

SafLager™ E-30 – our strong ester-producing yeast for fruit lager.

SafLager™ E-30 is the ideal choice for more aromatic and fruit-forward lagers. This lager strain produces higher levels of esters, especially fruity esters with banana characters. It’s a versatile choice, suitable for a broad range of lagers and fruit-oriented styles.

SafLager™ E-30 is a great option for brewing craft and specialty lagers, especially aromatic versions, export lagers, strong lagers (such as Bocks), as well as hybrid styles such as Cold IPAs, California Common and Kolschs.

SafLager™ S-189 – a great yeast for elegant lagers with floral notes.

SafLager™ S-189 originates from the Hürlimann brewery in Switzerland. Its profile is suitable for brewing fairly fine-flavored lagers with high drinkability. Depending on brewing conditions, it tends to produce noticeable herbal and floral notes in lager beers. This yeast strain produces low to medium esters and can promote terpenes.

SafLager™ S-189 is ideal for brewing traditional hoppy beers, such as Bohemian Pilsners, special lagers, and Cold IPAs.

SafLager™ S-23 – the solution for fruity and hoppy lagers.

SafLager™ S-23 is a brewer’s yeast originating from Berlin, Germany. It is recommended for more estery and complex lagers, from both malt or hoppy perspectives.

SafLager™ S-23 is an ideal choice for Helles, Vienna Lagers, Märzens and hoppy lagers.

SafLager™ W-34/70 – the strong and robust lager yeast, ideal for neutral beers.

SafLager™ W-34/70 is a famous brewer’s yeast strain from Weihenstephan in Germany. It gives extremely clean flavors and produces highly drinkable beers over many different fermentations – even at higher temperatures. This means you can produce the same neutral beer with less time in the fermentation tank.

SafLager™ W-34/70 produces very low esters, making it ideal for neutral lagers, such as Pilsners, Viennas and Schwarzbiers, as well as traditional and specialty lagers.

SafBrew™ LD 20 – an All-In-1™ yeast and enzyme blend for lower-carb dry lager beers.

SafBrew™ LD-20 is a unique blend of yeast and enzymes, capable of apparent attenuation between 98 and 100%. This makes it the ideal choice for brewing highly attenuated lager beers with up to 20% less carbohydrates (compared to beers brewed with the same yeast without enzymes).

SafBrew™ LD-20 is the go-to solution for dry and low-calorie lager beers with a clean aromatic profile.

Now that you’re better acquainted with our SafLager™ range, it’s time to make your choice and start brewing great-tasting lager beers. Don’t forget to be creative with our lager solutions and share your findings with us!

Need more help deciding on the right lager yeast strain in our range? Send us a message at fermentis.com/contact/