Saflager W-34/70 Yeast

Normally an "All Grain" brewer I am returning to brewing after a 12-month spell. Decided on a Muntons Continental extract and Morgans Master Malt Pale. Chatting to the guy behind the counter (Very Helpful), he suggested that the yeast on the can was GTG. A little skeptical, I went with it and did a 2L starter at 18 DegC. "BBBZZZZZTT" starter sat for a week with very little activity. All good, that's what a starter is for! Back to the store picked up the 34/70. Doing some reading around this strain, it can be a little temperamental. Did another starter at 15degC with some yeast nutrient from the same store. (Nutrient appears to be DAP?) Starter kicked off really well and then slowed. Took a little over a week to ferment out. Dropped the brew and yeast into the fermenter - SG 1044. 11 days into the fermentation took a reading -1018. 3 Days later - 1015. Raised the temp .5deg / day over the next 3 days and it landed at 1011/1012. Another reading 2 days later with no change. Good enough for the girls we go with, dropped it into a keg. 3 days later poured a glass. Beautiful colour, no haze or sediment, a little darker than I expected for a Lager. Formed a fantastic head, which also held well. Taste - a little Malty, not overpowering just more than I expected from a Lager. Odur, there appears to be an ever so slight smell. Doesn't deter me from drinking the brew, it does however leave me wondering if its normal or something I induced. Fairly confident its yeast related. Early days in the Keg yet, so I'll wait a few weeks before making too many assumptions. May even give it a run with some NovaLager in the future. All up a pretty simple way to jump back into brewing, with a delicious result. Cheers!

Reliable yeast as always and thanks to the staff at NB for the advice on pitching rates. Really improved my fermentation on batch.

Brewed 23L of Pale Czech lager using 2x 34-70 under 15kpa and have ended up with a nice clean smelling and tasting beer. Happy as.