Fermentis SafAle™ W-68 yeast 500 g

Fermentis SafAle™ W-68

SafAle W-68™, a renowned German yeast strain from Weihenstephan, Germany. Specialty yeast selected for the production of aromatic beers with typical phenolic character (clove and peppery notes) and rich in fruity and floral flavors. Suitable for a great variety of wheat-base beers and fruity-spicy oriented styles. This yeast offers medium attenuation, a moderate phenolic flavor, and prominent banana and tutti fruti notes.

These characteristics make SafAle W-68™ ideal for traditional aromatic German style wheat beers with typical phenolic (clovy) character and rich in fruity and banana notes.

W-68 has a medium sedimentation: forms no clumps but a powdery haze when re suspended in the beer.

What distinguishes German and Belgian wheat beers?

Both beer styles share the common characteristic of being brewed with wheat, a difference from the usual barley malt. However, they differ significantly beyond this shared trait.  German Weizen, or Weissen, are generally limited to only a few selected ingredients: malt, wheat, hops, yeast, and water. These beers typically contain 40% malted wheat, although this ratio can extend up to 70%.

German Weizens adhere to these standards, which exclude the addition of extra spices.

Belgian Witbier, in contrast, relies on a lower percentage (not exceeding 40%) of unmalted wheat. The uniqueness of Belgian Witbier comes from the use of added spices like coriander, lavender, or orange zest or peels. Coupled with a less phenolic yeast, the base beer tends to be milder, serving as a canvas for the infusion of additional ingredients.

Fermentis yeast for wheat beer

• SafAle™ WB-06 this versatile yeast strain  is suitable for both German and Belgian style wheat beers, often producing highly attenuated, dry beers with a touch of acidity and crispness.
• SafAle™ BW-20. The ideal wheat beer yeast for Belgian-style whites. Specialty yeast selected for the production of wheat beers having neutral fruity flavors with specific phenolic character (clove and peppery notes).
• SafAle W-68™. A historical yeast for German-style wheat beers. Suitable for a great variety of wheat-base beers and fruity-spicy oriented styles.

Please note that this is a simplified overview from Fermentis of their yeast strains for wheat-based beers, and they encourage brewers to experiment, as any of the three strains can be used to create exceptional Belgian, German, or other unique wheat beer styles.