For our latest Brewer Stories, we visited Highland Park Brewery in Los Angeles. This award-winning brewpub has been on a remarkable winning streak, and their 2024 performance at the Great American Beer Festival proved their approach works.
The result? Gold medals in two completely different categories: American-style IPA and Contemporary American-style Lager.
The secret? Both beers were brewed with the same yeast: SafLager™ W-34/70.
Bob Kunz, founder and head brewer at Highland Park, pioneered the original West Coast Pilsner. He brings his passion for creative brewing to every batch. His philosophy challenges conventional brewing wisdom about yeast selection.
Key Takeaways
Highland Park Brewery’s success demonstrates how yeast consistency unlocks brewing creativity:
- One yeast, multiple styles: SafLager™ W-34/70 won gold medals in both IPA and lager categories at GABF 2024
- Dual-character performance: The yeast adapts its flavor contribution based on beer style, providing clean crispness in lagers and tropical thiol notes in hop-forward beers
- Recipe-first approach: Consistent fermentation allows brewers to focus on “micro innovations” rather than troubleshooting yeast behavior
- Competition-level quality: Systematic sensory analysis and predictable yeast performance enable award-winning results
- Versatility across temperatures: SafLager™ W-34/70 delivers reliable results at 12-18°C across diverse beer styles from traditional lagers to hop-forward beersntation
Lager yeast for ales and lagers
“I love lager fermentation for both our ales and our lagers,” says Bob. “SafLager™ W-34/70 works perfectly in our beers. In our clean lagers, it gives this fresh marshmallow, pillowy characteristic. Then in our more hop-forward beers, the yeast contributes this thiol-y tropical passionfruit sort of characteristic.”
This dual-character performance is what sets SafLager™ W-34/70 apart. The yeast adapts its flavor contribution based on the beer style.
Flavor Profiles by Beer Style
| Beer Style | Yeast Contribution | Key Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Clean Lagers | Neutral, crisp profile | Subtle malt sweetness, fresh marshmallow notes, pillowy mouthfeel |
| Hop-Forward Beers | Thiol biotransformation | Amplified tropical and passionfruit notes, enhanced hop aromatics |
| West Coast Pilsners | Balanced expression | Clean base with pronounced hop character |
| Contemporary Lagers | Crisp drinkability | High attenuation, clear finish, refreshing profile |
The Creative Approach
Style categories don’t dictate Highland Park’s brewing process. “We go down the path of making the beer that we are excited about, and then find the category it fits into,” says Bob.
This creative-first approach, anchored by consistent yeast performance, allows the team to focus on recipe innovation. When fermentation is predictable, brewers can experiment with confidence. They’re not troubleshooting off-flavors or inconsistent attenuation. Instead, they’re refining hop schedules, adjusting malt bills, and perfecting water chemistry.
The yeast: SafLager™ W-34/70
A famous lager strain originating from Weihenstephan in Germany, SafLager™ W-34/70 is widely used across the brewing industry. This strong and robust yeast allows brewers to craft neutral beers with a good balance of floral and fruity aromas.
Technical Specifications
- Attenuation: 80-84% apparent attenuation
- Temperature range: 12-18°C (53.6-64.4°F) ideal, but tolerant up to 22°C
- Flocculation: High, producing clear beers
- Ester profile: Low, allowing hop and malt character to shine
- Fermentation speed: 8-9 days at 14°C for 15°P original gravity
The yeast is known for imparting clean flavors and producing highly drinkable beers. Whether you’re brewing a traditional Czech Pilsner or a contemporary Cold IPA, SafLager™ W-34/70 delivers consistent results.
Micro innovations through yeast consistency
“SafLager™ W-34/70 is a highly versatile yeast for us,” says Bob. “Its consistency allows us to home in on our recipes, making ‘micro innovations’ to continually better our brews.”
Bob and his team meet several times a year to reevaluate their entire lineup through sensory analysis. The team discusses and rates each beer to assess whether anything has changed. They evaluate whether they like the direction their beers are heading.
For Bob, staying present and continuously improving is the focus. The brewery isn’t chasing trends or making radical reformulations. They’re refining what works, building on their foundation of consistent fermentation.
The result: Double gold at GABF 2024
When evaluating their beers, the Highland Park team also puts themselves in judges’ mindsets. This approach is paying off with tangible results.
2024 GABF Achievements:
- Gold Medal: American-style IPA
- Gold Medal: Contemporary American-style Lager
The kicker? Both award-winning beers were brewed with the same yeast: SafLager™ W-34/70.
This demonstrates the yeast’s remarkable range. It can produce the clean, crisp profile judges expect in a contemporary lager. Simultaneously, it supports the hop-forward, aromatic complexity required for a winning IPA. This versatility is rare in brewing yeast, where most strains excel in specific applications but struggle outside their comfort zone.
Brewing with SafLager™ W-34/70
Whether you’re a seasoned craft brewer or just starting out at home, Highland Park’s approach offers a valuable lesson. Consistency in fermentation unlocks creativity in recipe development.
Benefits of Using SafLager™ W-34/70
By anchoring your process with a reliable, versatile yeast like SafLager™ W-34/70, you can achieve multiple brewing advantages:
- Reduce variables and improve batch-to-batch consistency across your entire lineup
- Explore diverse beer styles without switching yeast strains or managing multiple cultures
- Enhance hop biotransformation in hop-forward styles through thiol release
- Achieve competition-level quality with a proven strain trusted by award-winning brewers
- Simplify inventory management by using one yeast for multiple beer styles
- Save time and resources by eliminating yeast propagation and culture maintenance
Discover how the team at Highland Park uses Fermentis active dry yeast as the cornerstone for their creativity. Get inspired to try something new with your next brew.
Ready to brew better, more consistent, and more flavorful beer? Contact our fermentation specialists at fermentis.com/contact or find a distributor near you on our distributor page. Our team can help you select the right brewing yeast solutions for your specific applications and provide expert insights on beer yeast behavior and performance.