The next stop on our tour of California’s West Coast is Bottle Logic Brewing in Anaheim. Known for their bold ingredient combinations and scientific experimentation, the team at Bottle Logic loves to push the boundaries of flavor and fermentation. Founded in 2013, the brewery grew quickly and is now producing roughly 8 to 10,000 barrels a year. They even make a beer for Disneyland, California!
Barrel-aged, boundary-pushing, and built for experimentation
Sean Thommen, Fermentis Regional Sales Manager (USA West), sat down with head brewer Jasper Gallardo and R&D brewer Bayani Hilo to discuss their innovative and unique approach to brewing. “We’re very well known for barrel-aged beer,” says Jasper. “We do a lot of big barrel-aged stouts, barley wines, and cocktail-inspired high-ABV seltzers.”
The team at Bottle Logic chooses Fermentis products for their consistency and versatility. The main yeasts used in-house are SafAle™ US-05, SafAle™ S-04, and SafLager™ W-34/70. “Fermentis really allows us to be experimental and creative,” says Bayani. “We know that we’ll get a really clean base to work from.”
The yeasts behind the brewing
A world-famous American brewers’ yeast, SafAle™ US-05 produces neutral and well-balanced ales. It forms a firm head and shows excellent ability to remain in suspension during fermentation. This strain is ideal for creating clean, crisp American-style beers and highly hopped beers.
Ideal for English and American ales, SafAle™ S-04 was selected for its fast fermentation profile. This brewing yeast produces balanced fruity and floral notes and is well-suited to cask-conditioned and cylindro-conical tank-fermented beers. Due to its flocculation power, it tends to produce beers with higher clarity.
A famous lager strain from Weihenstephan in Germany, SafLager™ W-34/70 is widely used in the brewing industry. SafLager™ W-34/70 is a strong and robust yeast that allows brewers to craft neutral beers with a good balance of floral and fruity aromas. It’s known for imparting clean flavors and producing highly drinkable beers.
“I would say my favorite Fermentis yeast would be SafLager™ W-34/70,” says Jasper. “It’s a very clean German yeast strain, and I’ve never had any issues with it. I’ve always pushed the boundaries on it to get the best expression out of it and never had any experience other than the norm.”
How Craft Breweries Scale Production Without Losing Innovation
Scaling a craft brewery to 8,000-10,000 barrels a year without losing the experimental edge that defines your brand is one of the harder challenges in the industry. At Bottle Logic, the answer lies in the relationship between creative ambition and technical reliability.
When the yeast performs consistently, the brewer’s attention can shift elsewhere – to the barrel program, the adjunct combinations, the cocktail-inspired seltzers, the next boundary to push.
That is the Bottle Logic model. And Fermentis dry yeasts are part of what makes it work.
With their passion for brewing, dedication to quality, and creative spirit, Jasper and Bayani are redefining the craft beer and seltzer scene. Follow their journey and discover the magic happening on the menu at Bottle Logic.
Brew with the same yeasts
SafAle™ US-05, SafAle™ S-04, and SafLager™ W-34/70 are available as active dry yeasts through the Fermentis range.
If you’re a brewer looking to craft the perfect lager, IPA, or any other beer style, get in touch to see what the Fermentis range of active dry yeasts for beer can do for you!
For more information about how Fermentis can help you brew better, more consistent, and more flavorful beer, drop us a line at fermentis.com/contact/