Fresh brewing yeast – liquid yeast from White Labs

Fresh yeast is live, liquid brewing yeast that gives access to more classic and specialty strains than dry yeast. The range is White Labs PurePitch Next Generation in 70 ml, with strains for pilsner and lager, English and American ale, IPA, wheat beer, Belgian beer and saison. One pack is sized for 20 litres of standard ale without a yeast starter.

Please note: Fresh yeast is currently only sold in Norway.

How to choose fresh yeast

Beer style	Strains
Pilsner and lager	WLP830 German Lager, WLP800 Pilsner Lager, WLP802 Czech Budejovice, WLP940 Mexican Lager, WLP820 Oktoberfest/Märzen, WLP833 German Bock
American ale and IPA	WLP001 California Ale, WLP051 California V, WLP066 London Fog (New England IPA)
English, Irish and Scottish ale	WLP007 Dry English Ale, WLP002 English Ale, WLP013 London Ale, WLP004 Irish Ale, WLP028 Edinburgh Scottish Ale
Kölsch and altbier	WLP029 German Ale/Kölsch
Wheat beer and wit	WLP300 Hefeweizen, WLP380 Hefeweizen IV, WLP400 Belgian Wit
Belgian and saison	WLP530 Abbey Ale, WLP500 Monastery, WLP550 Belgian Ale, WLP565 and WLP566 Saison, WLP590 French Saison

Temperature varies a lot between strains. WLP830 German Lager ferments at 10–13 °C, WLP001 at 20–23 °C and WLP590 French Saison at 20–30 °C. Temperature, attenuation and alcohol tolerance are listed on each product page.

How to handle fresh yeast

Fresh yeast is alive and must be kept cold until use. The best-before date is on each product page. PurePitch Next Generation holds twice as much yeast as earlier White Labs packs: twist off the top and pour the yeast straight into the wort. The pack is sized for wort below OG 1.074 fermented above 16 °C. Stronger beers and lagers need more yeast, either two packs or a starter.

If the yeast is shipped, we recommend ordering an ice pack in a thermal envelope. Ordering early in the week keeps the parcel from sitting in a postal terminal over the weekend.

Frequently asked questions about fresh yeast

Do I need a yeast starter with fresh yeast?

Not for a standard ale. White Labs states that one PurePitch Next Generation pack covers 20 litres below OG 1.074 fermented above 16 °C. For lagers and strong beers a starter is recommended, and here is how to make a simple yeast starter (PDF, Norwegian).

How long does fresh yeast keep?

Much shorter than dry yeast, and the date is on the product page. White Labs states that PurePitch Next Generation keeps up to 94.9 % viable cells after six months. Store the yeast in the fridge.

What is the difference between fresh and dry yeast?

Fresh yeast is liquid and alive, and is available in more specialty strains, for example for kölsch, English ale and saison. Dry yeast keeps longer and handles shipping better.