Distillers Yeast vs Bakers Yeast

Homebrewing is fun, and you get more beer for less money. There are various things you need to understand if you want to be the best homebrewer you can be. One of them is understanding distillers yeast vs bakers yeast.

Distillers Yeast vs Bakers Yeast General Overview

Understanding the similarities between these yeasts will help you know which to choose when brewing. The yeast type you chose is among the key factors vital to the amount, flavor, and aroma of beer you will produce.

There are differences and similarities between both yeasts, making them perfect for various activities. I will also discuss the factors you should consider as you buy the cheese to ensure you produce high-quality beer full of aroma and flavor.

Distillers Yeast Overview

Yeast has been in use for centuries. In the 19th century, brewers discovered how it helps in brewing, and there has been no moving back from then. This type of yeast thrives in the mash as it rapidly breaks down the glucose and feeds on the sugar.

By doing so, yeast produces two by-products: carbon dioxide and alcohol. Therefore this type of yeast is used by homebrewers to make beer and wines. This helps in:

• Lowering blood glucose
• Improves GI symptoms for people with irritable bowel syndrome

Pros 

• Available everywhere where they sell yeast
• Quick start and very rapid fermentation
• Long shelf life of up to 3 years
• It gives the beer a fantastic flavor

Cons

• It has a neutral flavor and is thus not ideal for baking

Bakers Yeast Overview

You can use four types of baking yeast in your baking project. Dry yeast works for any kind of baking goods you want to bake with your dough. It resembles small granules, and you activate it by putting it in water.

There is also fresh yeast which is primarily a single organism. Most bakers confirm that fresh and dry yeast produce similar results.

The third type is instant yeast, and unlike dry yeast, you don’t have to mix it with water. You mix it directly with your dough, and it works faster, so make sure you use the recommended amount.

The last type is rapid dry yeast, and it shares a lot of similarities with instant yeast. So as you add it to your dry ingredients, be prepared because it rises fast.

Pros

• Perfect for baked goods
• It makes dough rise very rapidly
• You can find various types of yeasts in grocery stores

Cons

• It does not survive for long thus not ideal for beer brewing

Comparing Distillers Yeast and Bakers Yeast

You asked around and your brewing buddies told you yeast is yeast. This is not entirely true because both yeasts are pretty different and unique in working and what they produce.

Here are their main similarities and differences:

Similarities

Despite what the names may make you think, these yeasts have a few similarities. That is why you can substitute one for the other.

Air Bubbles

Both types of yeast produce air bubbles. The air bubbles are responsible for making the baking dough rise. Although distillers yeast produces larger air bubbles, you can use both types of yeast for raising dough for various types of baked goods.

Availability

Whether you are a home brewer or a baker, yeast is one ingredient you cannot do without. The good news is that both yeasts are available at your nearest grocery store.

Affordability 

It doesn’t matter whether you are brewing or making for your own consumption or for selling. It is vital to use affordable products. Walk to the nearest grocery store and buy these yeasts at an affordable price.

Differences

The differences between these yeasts make each type suited for its purpose. You will discover that although they have many similarities they also have differences that set them apart.

Bread Making

If you did not know you can actually use distillers yeast to make bread. However, it makes dough rise very fast, and thus you can only use it to make dense bread. You cannot use baker’s yeast to make dense bread because the bubbles it produces raise dough steadily.

Taste and Aroma

Distillers yeast is so common among homebrewers because it has a neutral taste thus it cannot affect the taste of your beer. Bakers yeast on the other hand produces a pleasing aroma hence the reason why it is popular among bakers.

Therefore make sure you do a little research on various yeast types and the taste and aromas you can expect. You won’t be known as the homebrewer who produces funny-smelling and tasting beer.

On the other hand, you don’t want to be known as the baker who bakes bland tasting cookies, bread, or cakes.

Attenuation

Understanding how a yeast strain reduces the thickness will help you create more beer. Attenuation also affects how the beer feels and tastes when you sip it.

When you are brewing beer the higher the attenuation, the more beer you will get. Distillers yeast has a higher attenuation, therefore if you use it to brew you will get more beer.

How Do You Distinguish Between These Yeasts

Both yeats are living organisms that feed on sugar. However, bakers yeast breaks down sugar to produce air bubbles and carbon dioxide; distillers yeast produces alcohol, carbon dioxide, and air bubbles.

Distillers yeast produces large air bubbles, making the dough rise very fast. Therefore if you are making regular bread, this may not be ideal. So if you want to make dense bread, you can substitute bakers yeast for distillers yeast and see if you will like the results.

When to Use Distillers Yeast

This type of yeast is perfect for your home brewing needs. The reason is that it quickly metabolizes sugar to produce strong alcohol you can enjoy drinking. So why do spirits, beers, and wines taste different? The difference is the amount of yeast used.

Not all distillers of yeast are perfect for distilling. Yeasts that produce carbon dioxide fast should not be used in baking. The reason is that they don’t last for long, and therefore you will only get a small amount of beer.

When to Use Bakers Yeast

The name gives it away; you can’t really go wrong when using baker’s yeast in your baking projects. This yeast produces carbon dioxide and bubbles make the dough rise very fast.

Dry yeast expires; therefore, if your dough does not rise, consider checking the expiry date of the yeast.

Make sure you store dry yeast in a cool, dry place to keep it to extend the shelf life. You can also buy other types of yeast, such as instant, fresh or liquid yeast.

Which Yeast Is Better?

You can use both yeasts for beer brewing. Distillers yeast is ideal because it produces more beer with a pleasant aroma and taste. Additionally, it has a high attenuation to get more beer.

Home brewing is all about experimenting and learning new things. So, although baking yeast is ideal for baking enthusiasts, you can try it during brewing. Who knows, you may end up liking the taste of the beer.

Brewing is an art, and therefore it improves as you practice, so don’t hesitate to try out new things as you perfect your brewing.

Final Verdict

As you can see, not all yeast is the same. Their names directly point to what that particular type of yeast is ideal for. Therefore, to be safe, use bakers yeast for your bread and cakes and distillers yeast for brewing.