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Author Topic: Unpleasant Sulfur with Lallemand Belgian Wit Yeast  (Read 861 times)

Offline John M

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Unpleasant Sulfur with Lallemand Belgian Wit Yeast
« on: May 11, 2024, 08:09:54 am »
I was harshly reminded of the unpleasant sulfur I got using Lallemand's Belgian Wit yeast recently, after using it again in a Witbier. Anyone else experience this? I now remember deciding this was a liquid yeast only style (before taking a 3 yr hiatus).
Don't judge a beer by it's cover.

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Offline lupulus

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Re: Unpleasant Sulfur with Lallemand Belgian Wit Yeast
« Reply #1 on: May 11, 2024, 08:22:37 am »
It happens when you make mistakes.
RDWHAHB and try again.

"It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts." - Sherlock Holmes (A. Conan Doyle)

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Offline denny

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Re: Unpleasant Sulfur with Lallemand Belgian Wit Yeast
« Reply #2 on: May 11, 2024, 08:28:12 am »
It happens when you make mistakes.
RDWHAHB and try again.

"It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts." - Sherlock Holmes (A. Conan Doyle)

Mistakes like choosing the wrong yeast?
Life begins at 60.....1.060, that is!

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Offline lupulus

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Re: Unpleasant Sulfur with Lallemand Belgian Wit Yeast
« Reply #3 on: May 11, 2024, 08:44:08 am »
It happens when you make mistakes.
RDWHAHB and try again.

"It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts." - Sherlock Holmes (A. Conan Doyle)

Mistakes like choosing the wrong yeast?
No.
Mistakes like unpleasant sulfur.

"It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts." - Sherlock Holmes (A. Conan Doyle)

“The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it.”  Neil deGrasse Tyson

Offline denny

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Re: Unpleasant Sulfur with Lallemand Belgian Wit Yeast
« Reply #4 on: May 11, 2024, 09:40:12 am »
It happens when you make mistakes.
RDWHAHB and try again.

"It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts." - Sherlock Holmes (A. Conan Doyle)

Mistakes like choosing the wrong yeast?
No.
Mistakes like unpleasant sulfur.

"It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts." - Sherlock Holmes (A. Conan Doyle)

Care to explain?
Life begins at 60.....1.060, that is!

www.dennybrew.com

The best, sharpest, funniest, weirdest and most knowledgable minds in home brewing contribute on the AHA forum. - Alewyfe

"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts." - Bertrand Russell

Offline lupulus

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Re: Unpleasant Sulfur with Lallemand Belgian Wit Yeast
« Reply #5 on: May 11, 2024, 09:56:34 am »
No problem.
Post stated "I was harshly reminded of the unpleasant sulfur I got using Lallemand's Belgian Wit yeast recently, after using it again in a Witbier."
I responded that it's no the yeast problem but a brewing error.
Unpleasant sulfur could be yeast health/ handling or infection or a combination of both.
Cheers!

"It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts." - Sherlock Holmes (A. Conan Doyle)

“The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it.”  Neil deGrasse Tyson

Offline John M

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Re: Unpleasant Sulfur with Lallemand Belgian Wit Yeast
« Reply #6 on: May 11, 2024, 10:11:09 am »
No problem.
Post stated "I was harshly reminded of the unpleasant sulfur I got using Lallemand's Belgian Wit yeast recently, after using it again in a Witbier."
I responded that it's no the yeast problem but a brewing error.
Unpleasant sulfur could be yeast health/ handling or infection or a combination of both.
Cheers!

"It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts." - Sherlock Holmes (A. Conan Doyle)
I am certain what I'm getting is related to the yeast strain. Maybe I over-pitched, or under-pitched but I am a meticulous brewer, and for this feature to only show up with this yeast, once years ago and once now, I have no doubts.

Don't judge a beer by it's cover.

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Offline lupulus

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Re: Unpleasant Sulfur with Lallemand Belgian Wit Yeast
« Reply #7 on: May 11, 2024, 11:12:09 am »
I apologize if I sounded argumentative. It wasn't my intention.
Manufacturers do significant testing, so the yeast'itself is definitely ok and won't create bad sulfur compounds when use as directed.
It's possible that the yeast was bad without you knowing.
Cheers!

"It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts." - Sherlock Holmes (A. Conan Doyle)

“The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it.”  Neil deGrasse Tyson

Offline denny

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Re: Unpleasant Sulfur with Lallemand Belgian Wit Yeast
« Reply #8 on: May 11, 2024, 12:03:28 pm »
No problem.
Post stated "I was harshly reminded of the unpleasant sulfur I got using Lallemand's Belgian Wit yeast recently, after using it again in a Witbier."
I responded that it's no the yeast problem but a brewing error.
Unpleasant sulfur could be yeast health/ handling or infection or a combination of both.
Cheers!

"It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts." - Sherlock Holmes (A. Conan Doyle)

Very true. It can also be related to yeast strain.
Life begins at 60.....1.060, that is!

www.dennybrew.com

The best, sharpest, funniest, weirdest and most knowledgable minds in home brewing contribute on the AHA forum. - Alewyfe

"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts." - Bertrand Russell

Offline erockrph

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Re: Unpleasant Sulfur with Lallemand Belgian Wit Yeast
« Reply #9 on: May 11, 2024, 12:04:37 pm »
Is it in a keg? You can usually blow off excess sulfur by intermittent pressurize/vent cycles over the course of a few days.
Eric B.

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Offline dmtaylor

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Re: Unpleasant Sulfur with Lallemand Belgian Wit Yeast
« Reply #10 on: May 11, 2024, 01:18:51 pm »
I haven't used this yeast yet, but I know the liquid witbier yeast strains also produce sulfur.  The solution: Let the beer age for 4 weeks prior to drinking.  My guess is you just need more time, as the sulfur will age out on its own.  No need to vent off or do anything different, besides being patient.  I cannot 100% guarantee this will work, but I'm pretty dang sure aging will help.
Dave

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Offline John M

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Re: Unpleasant Sulfur with Lallemand Belgian Wit Yeast
« Reply #11 on: May 11, 2024, 03:22:45 pm »
Thanks guys. It is still in the fermenter. I was planning to keg it earlier this week, but took a sample and picked up the sulfur. I'm going to sample it again in a few days.
Don't judge a beer by it's cover.

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Offline Drewch

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Re: Unpleasant Sulfur with Lallemand Belgian Wit Yeast
« Reply #12 on: May 11, 2024, 03:40:57 pm »

Have you gotten feedback from other tasters? Maybe this strain throws off something you happen to be particularly sensitive to. Everyone's palate is different.
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Offline denny

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Re: Unpleasant Sulfur with Lallemand Belgian Wit Yeast
« Reply #13 on: May 12, 2024, 08:27:49 am »
Thanks guys. It is still in the fermenter. I was planning to keg it earlier this week, but took a sample and picked up the sulfur. I'm going to sample it again in a few days.

If it's still in the fermenter,  it's too soon to be concerned.
Life begins at 60.....1.060, that is!

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The best, sharpest, funniest, weirdest and most knowledgable minds in home brewing contribute on the AHA forum. - Alewyfe

"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts." - Bertrand Russell

Offline John M

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Re: Unpleasant Sulfur with Lallemand Belgian Wit Yeast
« Reply #14 on: May 12, 2024, 09:26:15 am »
Thanks guys. It is still in the fermenter. I was planning to keg it earlier this week, but took a sample and picked up the sulfur. I'm going to sample it again in a few days.

If it's still in the fermenter,  it's too soon to be concerned.
Thanks Denny. I'm at 5 weeks right now. Not used to letting them go this long, but I've read that on the homebrew scale hydrostatic pressure isn't a concern.
Don't judge a beer by it's cover.

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