What is the difference between yeast floats and yeast sinks ?

For homebrewers, it is not easy to distinguish between yeast floats and yeast sinks as well as understand their properties to use properly, what type of yeast should be used for this beer style…  ABV Beer Shop brings useful information about these popular yeasts for homebrewers to choose the right yeast to successfully brew delicious batches of beer!

Yeast floats

Yeast floats, scientifically known as Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, grow and develop at high temperatures, floating on the surface of the wort then gradually sinking to the bottom of the tank when the fermentation process ends. The ability to ferment strongly on many environmental surfaces, but this type of yeast is prone to flocculation on the surface, poor sedimentation makes beer difficult in nature, so it requires homebrewers to be careful in the filtration step.

Ale beer uses surface fermentation so yeast floats are often used for this style of beer. With the ability of this yeast to multiply and develop quickly, the fermentation process of Ale beer is also faster.

• Has an outstanding aroma: many esters, fruity and quite diverse, quite strong aroma
• Fast fermentation ability, fermentation time about 3 weeks
• Fermentation at high temperature from 14-25 degrees C
• Fast tank turnaround
• Moderate to high alcohol resistance

Yeast sinks

Yeast sinks grow and develop at relatively low temperatures. This type of yeast ferments strongly in the environment and clumps to settle to the bottom for beer in nature, easier to filter beer. However, yeast sinks are quite weak, more susceptible to environmental factors, so beer should be fermented and stored at cold temperatures.

 Yeast sinks are commonly used for Lager beer style with bottom fermentation.

• Pure fragrance but few varieties
• The ability to ferment thoroughly
• Fermentation time lasts about 4 weeks
• Low fermentation temperature, from 4 – 12 degrees C
• Low alcohol resistance

It is because of the characteristics and different fermentation methods that each of these yeasts gives each style of beer its very own characteristics in terms of alcohol concentration, sweetness, hops bitterness, aroma, preservation method and enjoyment.

If you are learning about craft beer or want to try making your delicious beer, contact ABV Beer Shop – a trusted destination for homebrewers!