Beer Yeast Selector & Comparison Chart
Beer & Cider Yeast Selector & Comparison Chart
Compare dried brewing yeast strains by style, attenuation, temperature range and full fermentability — including maltotriose. Search, filter, sort by price, and add straight to your basket.
Safale S-04
£3.99
Full spec sheet
Species: S. cerevisiae (POF-)
ABV tolerance: 12%
Sugars: Glucose Yes · Fructose Yes · Maltose Yes · Maltotriose Partial · Sucrose Yes
Ester profile: Low – Neutral
Diacetyl: Low
Hop pairings: EKG/Fuggles
Malt pairings: Maris Otter
Commercial example: Fuller's-style beers
Pitch rate: 11.5g/20–30L
Rehydration: Pitch directly, or rehydrate in sterile water/wort at 25–29°C for 15–30 min
Storage: 4°C · Shelf life: 36 months
Safale US-05
£3.99
Full spec sheet
Species: S. cerevisiae (POF-)
ABV tolerance: 11%
Sugars: Glucose Yes · Fructose Yes · Maltose Yes · Maltotriose Yes · Sucrose Yes
Ester profile: Low – Clean Citrus
Diacetyl: Low
Hop pairings: Cascade/Centennial
Malt pairings: Pale Malt
Commercial example: Sierra Nevada-style
Pitch rate: 11.5g/20–30L
Rehydration: Pitch directly, or rehydrate in sterile water/wort at 25–29°C for 15–30 min
Storage: 4°C · Shelf life: 36 months
Gervin GV12
£3.19
Full spec sheet
Species: S. cerevisiae (POF-)
ABV tolerance: 15%
Sugars: Glucose Yes · Fructose Yes · Maltose Yes · Maltotriose Yes · Sucrose Yes
Ester profile: Medium – Pear/Light Fruit
Diacetyl: Low
Hop pairings: EKG/Fuggles
Malt pairings: Maris Otter
Commercial example: Traditional English ales
Pitch rate: 11g/23L
Rehydration: Direct pitch. Rehydration optional; sterile water at 25–30°C for 15–30 min
Storage: 4°C · Shelf life: 24 months
MJ M15 Empire Ale
£3.69
Full spec sheet
Species: S. cerevisiae (POF-)
ABV tolerance: 8%
Sugars: Glucose Yes · Fructose Yes · Maltose Yes · Maltotriose Partial · Sucrose Yes
Ester profile: Medium – Dark Fruit
Diacetyl: Low
Hop pairings: EKG/Fuggles
Malt pairings: Crystal/Munich
Commercial example: Scottish Export
Pitch rate: 10–12g/20–30L
Rehydration: Sprinkle directly onto wort, or rehydrate in sterile water at 30–35°C for 15 min
Storage: 4°C · Shelf life: 24 months
MJ M66 Hophead Ale
£3.99
Full spec sheet
Species: S. cerevisiae (POF-)
ABV tolerance: 10%
Sugars: Glucose Yes · Fructose Yes · Maltose Yes · Maltotriose Yes · Sucrose Yes
Ester profile: High – Tropical/Citrus
Diacetyl: Low
Hop pairings: Citra/Mosaic
Malt pairings: Oats/Wheat
Commercial example: Modern NEIPA
Pitch rate: 10–12g/20–30L
Rehydration: Sprinkle directly onto wort, or rehydrate in sterile water at 30–35°C for 15 min
Storage: 4°C · Shelf life: 24 months
MJ M36 Liberty Bell
£3.09
Full spec sheet
Species: S. cerevisiae (POF-)
ABV tolerance: 9%
Sugars: Glucose Yes · Fructose Yes · Maltose Yes · Maltotriose Partial · Sucrose Yes
Ester profile: Medium – Pear/Strawberry
Diacetyl: Low
Hop pairings: EKG/Fuggles
Malt pairings: Maris Otter
Commercial example: English ESB
Pitch rate: 10–12g/20–30L
Rehydration: Sprinkle directly onto wort, or rehydrate in sterile water at 30–35°C for 15 min
Storage: 4°C · Shelf life: 24 months
MJ M42 New World Strong
£3.09
Full spec sheet
Species: S. cerevisiae (POF-)
ABV tolerance: 12%
Sugars: Glucose Yes · Fructose Yes · Maltose Yes · Maltotriose Yes · Sucrose Yes
Ester profile: Low – Neutral
Diacetyl: Low
Hop pairings: Columbus/Centennial
Malt pairings: Pale/Munich
Commercial example: Strong British ales
Pitch rate: 10–12g/20–30L
Rehydration: Sprinkle directly onto wort, or rehydrate in sterile water at 30–35°C for 15 min
Storage: 4°C · Shelf life: 24 months
MJ M44 US West Coast
£3.49
Full spec sheet
Species: S. cerevisiae (POF-)
ABV tolerance: 11%
Sugars: Glucose Yes · Fructose Yes · Maltose Yes · Maltotriose Yes · Sucrose Yes
Ester profile: Low – Clean Citrus
Diacetyl: Low
Hop pairings: Cascade/Simcoe
Malt pairings: Pale Malt
Commercial example: West Coast IPA
Pitch rate: 10–12g/20–30L
Rehydration: Sprinkle directly onto wort, or rehydrate in sterile water at 30–35°C for 15 min
Storage: 4°C · Shelf life: 24 months
MJ M12 Kveik
£3.99
Full spec sheet
Species: S. cerevisiae (POF-)
ABV tolerance: 12%
Sugars: Glucose Yes · Fructose Yes · Maltose Yes · Maltotriose Yes · Sucrose Yes
Ester profile: High – Orange/Tropical
Diacetyl: Low
Hop pairings: Citra/Mosaic
Malt pairings: Pilsner/Wheat
Commercial example: Norwegian farmhouse
Pitch rate: 10–12g/20–30L
Rehydration: Sprinkle directly onto wort, or rehydrate in sterile water at 30–35°C for 15 min
Storage: 4°C · Shelf life: 24 months
Safale S-33
£2.99
Full spec sheet
Species: S. cerevisiae (POF+)
ABV tolerance: 9%
Sugars: Glucose Yes · Fructose Yes · Maltose Yes · Maltotriose Partial · Sucrose Yes
Ester profile: Medium – Fruity/Apricot
Phenolic: Light Phenolic · Diacetyl: Medium
Hop pairings: Styrian Goldings/Saaz
Malt pairings: Pilsner/Carapils
Commercial example: Leffe-style ales
Pitch rate: 11.5g/20–30L
Rehydration: Pitch directly, or rehydrate in sterile water/wort at 25–29°C for 15–30 min
Storage: 4°C · Shelf life: 36 months
Safale T-58
£2.49
Full spec sheet
Species: S. cerevisiae (POF+)
ABV tolerance: 11%
Sugars: Glucose Yes · Fructose Yes · Maltose Yes · Maltotriose Partial · Sucrose Yes
Ester profile: High – Clove/Pepper
Phenolic: Strong Phenolic · Diacetyl: Medium
Hop pairings: Saaz/Hallertau
Malt pairings: Pilsner/Wheat
Commercial example: Hoegaarden-style wit
Pitch rate: 11.5g/20–30L
Rehydration: Pitch directly, or rehydrate in sterile water/wort at 25–29°C for 15–30 min
Storage: 4°C · Shelf life: 36 months
MJ M47 Belgian Abbey
£3.49
Full spec sheet
Species: S. cerevisiae (POF+)
ABV tolerance: 8%
Sugars: Glucose Yes · Fructose Yes · Maltose Yes · Maltotriose Partial · Sucrose Yes
Ester profile: High – Banana/Spice
Phenolic: Strong Phenolic · Diacetyl: Medium
Hop pairings: Saaz/Styrian Goldings
Malt pairings: Pilsner/Caramunich
Commercial example: Chimay-style ales
Pitch rate: 10–12g/20–30L
Rehydration: Sprinkle directly onto wort, or rehydrate in sterile water at 30–35°C for 15 min
Storage: 4°C · Shelf life: 24 months
MJ M41 Belgian Ale
£3.69
Full spec sheet
Species: S. cerevisiae var. diastaticus (POF+) — diastaticus-positive: high contamination risk for other brewers, avoid shared equipment cross-contact
ABV tolerance: 12%
Sugars: Glucose Yes · Fructose Yes · Maltose Yes · Maltotriose Yes · Sucrose Yes
Ester profile: High – Spicy/Plum
Phenolic: Strong Phenolic · Diacetyl: Medium
Hop pairings: Saaz/Hallertau
Malt pairings: Pilsner/Sugar
Commercial example: Duvel-style ales
Pitch rate: 10–12g/20–30L
Rehydration: Sprinkle directly onto wort, or rehydrate in sterile water at 30–35°C for 15 min
Storage: 4°C · Shelf life: 24 months
MJ M31 Belgian Tripel
£3.49
Full spec sheet
Species: S. cerevisiae var. diastaticus (POF+) — diastaticus-positive: high contamination risk for other brewers, avoid shared equipment cross-contact
ABV tolerance: 10%
Sugars: Glucose Yes · Fructose Yes · Maltose Yes · Maltotriose Yes · Sucrose Yes
Ester profile: High – Fruity/Spicy
Phenolic: Strong Phenolic · Diacetyl: Medium
Hop pairings: Saaz/Styrian Goldings
Malt pairings: Pilsner/Sugar
Commercial example: Westmalle-style Tripel
Pitch rate: 10–12g/20–30L
Rehydration: Sprinkle directly onto wort, or rehydrate in sterile water at 30–35°C for 15 min
Storage: 4°C · Shelf life: 24 months
MJ M21 Belgian Wit
£3.49
Full spec sheet
Species: S. cerevisiae (POF+)
ABV tolerance: 8%
Sugars: Glucose Yes · Fructose Yes · Maltose Yes · Maltotriose Partial · Sucrose Yes
Ester profile: Medium – Citrus/Spice
Phenolic: Light Phenolic · Diacetyl: Low
Hop pairings: Saaz/Hallertau
Malt pairings: Wheat/Pilsner
Commercial example: Hoegaarden-style
Pitch rate: 10–12g/20–30L
Rehydration: Sprinkle directly onto wort, or rehydrate in sterile water at 30–35°C for 15 min
Storage: 4°C · Shelf life: 24 months
MJ M29 French Saison
£3.99
Full spec sheet
Species: S. cerevisiae var. diastaticus (POF+) — diastaticus-positive: high contamination risk for other brewers, avoid shared equipment cross-contact
ABV tolerance: 14%
Sugars: Glucose Yes · Fructose Yes · Maltose Yes · Maltotriose Yes · Sucrose Yes
Ester profile: High – Pepper/Lemon
Phenolic: Strong Phenolic · Diacetyl: Medium
Hop pairings: Saaz/Hallertau
Malt pairings: Pilsner/Wheat
Commercial example: Dupont-style Saison
Pitch rate: 10–12g/20–30L
Rehydration: Sprinkle directly onto wort, or rehydrate in sterile water at 30–35°C for 15 min
Storage: 4°C · Shelf life: 24 months
MJ M20 Bavarian Wheat
£3.09
Full spec sheet
Species: S. cerevisiae (POF+)
ABV tolerance: 7.5%
Sugars: Glucose Yes · Fructose Yes · Maltose Yes · Maltotriose Partial · Sucrose Yes
Ester profile: High – Banana/Clove
Phenolic: Strong Phenolic · Diacetyl: Medium
Hop pairings: Hersbrucker/Hallertau
Malt pairings: Wheat/Munich
Commercial example: Weihenstephan-style
Pitch rate: 10–12g/20–30L
Rehydration: Sprinkle directly onto wort, or rehydrate in sterile water at 30–35°C for 15 min
Storage: 4°C · Shelf life: 24 months
Saflager W-34/70
£6.99
Full spec sheet
Species: S. pastorianus (POF-)
ABV tolerance: 9%
Sugars: Glucose Yes · Fructose Yes · Maltose Yes · Maltotriose Yes · Sucrose Yes
Ester profile: Low – Neutral
Diacetyl: Low
Hop pairings: Hallertau/Saaz
Malt pairings: Pilsner/Munich
Commercial example: Weihenstephan-style lagers
Pitch rate: 11.5g/20–30L
Rehydration: Pitch directly, or rehydrate in sterile water/wort at 25–29°C for 15–30 min
Storage: 4°C · Shelf life: 36 months
Saflager S-23
£5.49
Full spec sheet
Species: S. pastorianus (POF-)
ABV tolerance: 9%
Sugars: Glucose Yes · Fructose Yes · Maltose Yes · Maltotriose Yes · Sucrose Yes
Ester profile: Medium – Fruity/Estery
Diacetyl: Low
Hop pairings: Saaz/Styrian Goldings
Malt pairings: Pilsner
Commercial example: Continental lagers
Pitch rate: 11.5g/20–30L
Rehydration: Pitch directly, or rehydrate in sterile water/wort at 25–29°C for 15–30 min
Storage: 4°C · Shelf life: 36 months
MJ M76 Bavarian Lager
£4.69
Full spec sheet
Species: S. pastorianus (POF-)
ABV tolerance: 8%
Sugars: Glucose Yes · Fructose Yes · Maltose Yes · Maltotriose Yes · Sucrose Yes
Ester profile: Low – Neutral
Diacetyl: Low
Hop pairings: Hallertau Mittelfrüh
Malt pairings: Pilsner/Munich
Commercial example: Bavarian-style lagers
Pitch rate: 10–12g/20–30L
Rehydration: For lager yeasts, rehydrate in sterile water at 20–25°C for 8–12 min, or sprinkle directly onto wort
Storage: 4°C · Shelf life: 24 months
MJ M54 Californian Lager
£3.69
Full spec sheet
Species: S. cerevisiae (POF-) — ferments at ale temperatures without lager off-flavours, no extended lagering required
ABV tolerance: 9%
Sugars: Glucose Yes · Fructose Yes · Maltose Yes · Maltotriose Partial · Sucrose Yes
Ester profile: Low – Neutral
Diacetyl: Low
Hop pairings: Cluster/Northern Brewer
Malt pairings: Pale/Munich
Commercial example: Anchor Steam-style
Pitch rate: 10–12g/20–30L
Rehydration: Sprinkle directly onto wort, or rehydrate in sterile water at 30–35°C for 15 min
Storage: 4°C · Shelf life: 24 months
MJ M84 Bohemian Lager
£3.69
Full spec sheet
Species: S. pastorianus (POF-)
ABV tolerance: 8%
Sugars: Glucose Yes · Fructose Yes · Maltose Yes · Maltotriose Partial · Sucrose Yes
Ester profile: Low – Neutral
Diacetyl: Low
Hop pairings: Saaz
Malt pairings: Pilsner
Commercial example: Bohemian-style lagers
Pitch rate: 10–12g/20–30L
Rehydration: For lager yeasts, rehydrate in sterile water at 20–25°C for 8–12 min, or sprinkle directly onto wort
Storage: 4°C · Shelf life: 24 months
MJ M24 Versa Lager
£3.99
Full spec sheet
Species: S. pastorianus (NovaLager) (POF-) — bottom-fermenting, wide temperature tolerance for faster, warmer ferments
ABV tolerance: 13%
Sugars: Glucose Yes · Fructose Yes · Maltose Yes · Maltotriose Yes · Sucrose Yes
Ester profile: Low – Neutral
Diacetyl: Low
Hop pairings: Citra/Saaz
Malt pairings: Pilsner/Munich
Commercial example: NovaLager-style beers
Pitch rate: 10–12g/20–30L
Rehydration: Sprinkle directly onto wort, or rehydrate in sterile water at 30–35°C for 15 min
Storage: 4°C · Shelf life: 24 months
Gervin GV13
£1.79
Full spec sheet
Species: S. cerevisiae (POF-)
ABV tolerance: 14%
Sugars: Glucose Yes · Fructose Yes · Maltose Yes · Maltotriose Partial · Sucrose Yes
Ester profile: Medium – Apple/Pear
Diacetyl: Low
Commercial example: West Country-style cider
Pitch rate: 11g/23L
Rehydration: Direct pitch. Rehydration optional; sterile water at 25–30°C for 15–30 min
Storage: 4°C · Shelf life: 24 months
MJ M02 Cider
£1.99
Full spec sheet
Species: S. cerevisiae (POF-)
ABV tolerance: 14%
Sugars: Glucose Yes · Fructose Yes · Maltose Yes · Maltotriose Partial · Sucrose Yes
Ester profile: Medium – Fresh Apple
Diacetyl: Low
Commercial example: New World-style cider
Pitch rate: 10–12g/20–30L
Rehydration: Sprinkle directly onto wort, or rehydrate in sterile water at 30–35°C for 15 min
Storage: 4°C · Shelf life: 24 months
Quick Picks by Style
- Clean American Ales/IPAs: Safale US-05, MJ M44 US West Coast
- English Ales/Porters: Safale S-04, Gervin GV12, MJ M36 Liberty Bell
- NEIPA/Hazy IPA: MJ M66 Hophead Ale
- Belgian styles: Safale S-33, T-58, MJ M47, M41, M31, M21
- Lagers: Saflager W-34/70, S-23, MJ M76, M54, M84, M24
- Kveik/Farmhouse: MJ M12 Kveik
- Ciders: Gervin GV13, MJ M02
Why Maltotriose Matters
Maltotriose is the largest and hardest-to-ferment sugar in wort, and it's usually the last one yeast tackles. A strain that ferments maltotriose fully (Yes above) will attenuate further and finish drier; one that only partially ferments it (Partial) will leave more residual sweetness and body — useful for maltier, rounder styles like Scottish ales or English bitters, but worth knowing if you're chasing a bone-dry finish.
What Is Diastaticus Yeast?
Diastaticus-positive strains (flagged in red above) carry an extra enzyme (glucoamylase) that lets them ferment sugars regular brewing yeast can't touch, resulting in a much drier, more attenuated beer than the maltotriose column alone would suggest. This is useful in some Belgian styles but is also considered a contamination risk for other brewers, since a stray diastaticus cell can quietly over-attenuate an otherwise normal batch. In our range, MJ M41 Belgian Ale, MJ M31 Belgian Tripel and MJ M29 French Saison are diastaticus-positive — worth knowing before you pitch, especially if you share equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between ale yeast and lager yeast?
Ale yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) ferments warm, fast, and produces more fruity esters. Lager yeast (Saccharomyces pastorianus) ferments cold and slow, giving a cleaner, crisper result with minimal fruity character.
How much yeast should I pitch?
Pitch rate depends on the strain, your batch size and your starting gravity. See the pitch rate field in each strain's full spec sheet above — most of our dried yeasts are designed for a single 10–11.5g sachet per 20–23L at standard gravities, with higher rates recommended for stronger beers.
Can I reuse or restart yeast?
Yes — healthy yeast can often be reused across several batches, and a stalled fermentation can sometimes be restarted with a fresh, vigorous strain. Gervin GV7 is purpose-built for restarting stuck or sluggish fermentations, particularly lagers.
What is diastaticus yeast?
See the explainer above — it's a yeast variant with an extra enzyme that lets it super-attenuate, useful in some Belgian styles but worth knowing about for contamination reasons.
What does POF+ / POF- mean?
POF stands for phenolic off-flavour. POF+ strains (common in Belgian, wheat and saison yeasts) naturally produce clove/spice phenolics from ferulic acid in the malt — desirable in those styles, but usually considered a flaw in clean ales or lagers, which is why most of our clean-fermenting strains are POF-.