[Andy Farke]

I just learned that Lallemand is discontinuing the Köln strain - https://www.lallemandbrewing.com/en/canada/product-details/lalbrew-koln-kolsch-style-ale-yeast/ - ...that's a serious bummer, because I really really like it for my German ales. I find SafAle's K-97 works OK, but in my experience it takes much longer to drop clear.

There is of course K-97, but does anyone have personal comparisons with other dry German ale strains? How about the Cellar Science "KÖLSCH" yeast? Is that a repackage of K-97, or is it something different? I don't really see any other options available for homebrewers.

[BrewBama]

I am a dry yeast brewer and even though it’s not dry, but I recently used Dieter from Imperial. I was totally impressed. It fermented fast, dropped clear fast, and made a wonderful Kölsch with that slight hint of fruitiness that I associate with the style. I don’t brew a lot of Kölsch but when I do, I’ll use Dieter.

[Andy Farke]

I am a dry yeast brewer and even though it’s not dry, but I recently used Dieter from Imperial. I was totally impressed. It fermented fast, dropped clear fast, and made a wonderful Kölsch with that slight hint of fruitiness that I associate with the style. I don’t brew a lot of Kölsch but when I do, I’ll use Dieter.

Cool -- thank you for the recommendation! My LHBS usually has a pretty good selection of Imperial, so I might check out Dieter.

[Iliff Ave]

They're discontinuing Koln? WTF! That makes me angry as it has become one of my favorites. There is no dry alternative that I am aware of. K97 is garbage in my opinion

[ScallyWag]

I just learned that Lallemand is discontinuing the Köln strain (https://www.lallemandbrewing.com/en/canada/product-details/lalbrew-koln-kolsch-style-ale-yeast/)...that's a serious bummer, because I really really like it for my German ales.

Noooooooooooooo!!!    I love Lalbrew Köln!   Dadgummit, now i need to go buy up a half dozen packets to hoard. 

I agree, that is a serious bummer.  It's my second-favorite dry yeast (after Verdant).   

[denny]

I just learned that Lallemand is discontinuing the Köln strain - https://www.lallemandbrewing.com/en/canada/product-details/lalbrew-koln-kolsch-style-ale-yeast/ - ...that's a serious bummer, because I really really like it for my German ales. I find SafAle's K-97 works OK, but in my experience it takes much longer to drop clear.

There is of course K-97, but does anyone have personal comparisons with other dry German ale strains? How about the Cellar Science "KÖLSCH" yeast? Is that a repackage of K-97, or is it something different? I don't really see any other options available for homebrewers.

Are you looking to make kolsch or alt? IMO, they need distinctly different yeasts. For kolsch, nothing beats WY2565 IMO. The wines fruitiness give me what I expect from kolsch. For alt, all I look for is something very clean that ferments well at low temps (52-55F). Of course, WY1007 is a main choice, but I've also made award winning alt with 1056 and 1728. I realize none of those are dry.

[Andy Farke]

Are you looking to make kolsch or alt? IMO, they need distinctly different yeasts. For kolsch, nothing beats WY2565 IMO. The wines fruitiness give me what I expect from kolsch. For alt, all I look for is something very clean that ferments well at low temps (52-55F). Of course, WY1007 is a main choice, but I've also made award winning alt with 1056 and 1728. I realize none of those are dry.

The answer is "yes" in terms of kölsch or alt. I have found K-97 works pretty well for alt (but isn't as much to my preference for kölsch...maybe I'll have to give it another go). I currently have on tap a tasty altbier made with Köln. Temperature management helps a ton. Wyeast is harder for me to get local, and I tilt towards White Labs or Imperial based on what my LHBS has. We all have different tastes, of course!


And yes, my strong preference is to find another workable dry strain. Liquid is great, but the convenience and ever-increasing quality+variety of dry yeast is hard to beat for my brewing habits.

[denny]

Are you looking to make kolsch or alt? IMO, they need distinctly different yeasts. For kolsch, nothing beats WY2565 IMO. The wines fruitiness give me what I expect from kolsch. For alt, all I look for is something very clean that ferments well at low temps (52-55F). Of course, WY1007 is a main choice, but I've also made award winning alt with 1056 and 1728. I realize none of those are dry.

The answer is "yes" in terms of kölsch or alt. I have found K-97 works pretty well for alt (but isn't as much to my preference for kölsch...maybe I'll have to give it another go). I currently have on tap a tasty altbier made with Köln. Temperature management helps a ton. Wyeast is harder for me to get local, and I tilt towards White Labs or Imperial based on what my LHBS has. We all have different tastes, of course!


And yes, my strong preference is to find another workable dry strain. Liquid is great, but the convenience and ever-increasing quality+variety of dry yeast is hard to beat for my brewing habits.

Maybe it's just my taste preferences, but I can't imagine using the same yeast for kolsch and alt.

[Andy Farke]

Maybe it's just my taste preferences, but I can't imagine using the same yeast for kolsch and alt.

Totally fair! I'm just full of chaos when it comes to my yeast choices! 

[tommymorris]

I think you should try the Cellar Science Kolsch yeast. There was a thread a year or so ago that seemed to conclude most cellar science yeasts were not repackaged Lallemand or Fermentis. Most were AEB I think.

This one (and the CellarScience sku) is Alt and Kolsch- so that might be K-97 which is not what you want.
https://www.aeb-group.com/us/fermoale-german-k-15501/fermoale-german-k-05kg_703

[Iliff Ave]

I am a dry yeast brewer and even though it’s not dry, but I recently used Dieter from Imperial. I was totally impressed. It fermented fast, dropped clear fast, and made a wonderful Kölsch with that slight hint of fruitiness that I associate with the style. I don’t brew a lot of Kölsch but when I do, I’ll use Dieter.

Cool -- thank you for the recommendation! My LHBS usually has a pretty good selection of Imperial, so I might check out Dieter.

I like Dieter as well. I stopped using it when Koln was released. In my opinion Dieter is very similar to WLP029 in character

[Megary]

I'd bet WLP080 "Cream Ale" blend would make a great Kolsch.  It makes a killer Cream Ale, that's for certain.

[House Of Ales]

That’s sad news. Lallemand is the only yeast I use.

[Iliff Ave]

That’s sad news. Lallemand is the only yeast I use.

Very sad. I guess it didn’t catch on which surprises me for how good it is

[fredthecat]

That’s sad news. Lallemand is the only yeast I use.

i haven't used mangrove jack in forever, and it isnt available here. the only other big variety option is fermentis products, and while i sorta-like certain ones of theirs i could say in general i like a number of lallemand products a lot, whereas fermentis ones when i try have been really mixed in results with only S-189 being one i unreservedly liked a lot.
im seeing two white labs dry yeast products now though - wlp001 and wlp066 - but they are $13.99 for dry yeast - it seems demented to me when most dry yeast is in the $4 to $8 range

Very sad. I guess it didn’t catch on which surprises me for how good it is

it had that supposed pitch rate issue. also they chose to cancel it, so maybe it had higher costs or production issues?