Beer Yeast

Shop beer yeast for home brewing, including reliable dried strains for ales, lagers, IPAs, wheat beers, Belgian styles, saisons and traditional British beers. Choose from trusted brewing yeast ranges by Fermentis SafAle and SafLager, LalBrew, Mangrove Jack’s and Gervin.

Choosing the Right Yeast for Beer

Yeast has a major influence on fermentation, flavour, aroma and the finished character of your beer. Clean American ale yeast is a popular choice for pale ales and IPAs, while English ale strains can add subtle fruity notes and suit bitters, porters and stouts. Lager yeast is designed for crisp lager styles, and specialist wheat, Belgian, saison and kveik strains create their own distinctive profiles.

Check the recommended fermentation temperature and style information on each product before choosing. If you are replacing the yeast supplied with a beer kit, make sure the strain suits the beer style and intended fermentation temperature.

Ale Yeast and Lager Yeast

Ale yeast generally ferments well at typical home-brewing temperatures and covers styles ranging from bitter and stout to IPA and Belgian ale. Traditional lager yeast normally performs best with cooler, controlled fermentation, although some hybrid and specialist strains can be used warmer. Each product page explains the strain’s intended use.

Beer Yeast for Home Brewing

Most sachets are suitable for a standard home-brew batch when used according to the manufacturer’s instructions. For stronger beers, larger batches or challenging fermentation conditions, additional yeast may be required. Store dried beer yeast as directed and always check the best-before date before use.

Need the rest of your brew? Browse our beer brewing kits or view the full yeast range.

Beer Yeast FAQs

What is the best yeast for brewing beer?

The best yeast depends on the beer style, fermentation temperature and flavour you want. A clean ale strain suits many pale ales and IPAs, English strains work well in bitters and dark ales, and lager strains are intended for cleaner lager fermentation.

Can I change the yeast supplied with a beer kit?

Yes. Replacing the supplied yeast can change attenuation, fermentation speed and flavour, so choose a brewing yeast suited to the kit style and the temperature you can maintain.

What is the difference between ale yeast and lager yeast?

Ale strains generally ferment warmer and can produce more fruity or characterful flavours. Lager strains usually ferment cooler and are selected for a clean, crisp result.

How much beer yeast do I need?

Follow the dosage on the sachet. One pack is commonly intended for a standard home-brew batch, but high-gravity wort, large batches and colder fermentation may need a higher pitching rate.