Brew Like a Hero: Unlocking the Full Potential of Superlager

A new hero has joined the Super League of Brewing Yeasts—Superlager!

More powerful than ordinary lager strains and able to unlock bold, tropical flavours in a single bound, Superlager is here to transform your hop-forward lager fermentations. Whether you're crafting a Cold IPA, a modern West Coast lager, or a crisp, classic Pilsner, this strain provides unmatched flexibility with its enhanced thiol biotransformation.

The first collab of Superlager was launched in early March 2025 with our friends at 2 Crows Brewing in Nova Scotia. It's a crisp, clean DIPA — brewed closer to a Cold IPA (cooler ferment, extended lagering time).

Let's dive into how to unleash the full power of this game-changing yeast:

Fermentation Optimization: Powering Up Your Brew

Temperature Control

• For a traditional lager, ferment at 12°C (53°F) to achieve a clean, crisp profile.

• To unlock enhanced hop character, push temperatures up to 16°C (61°F), especially for hop-forward styles like Cold IPAs or thiol-driven lagers.

• Fermenting under pressure? This yeast handles it well, giving you additional control over ester production.

Oxygenation & Nutrients

• Target 10 ppm dissolved oxygen in the wort to ensure a healthy fermentation.

• Superlager benefits from a balanced yeast nutrient regimen—aim for 180-200 ppm FAN (Free Amino Nitrogen) to prevent off-flavours and optimize thiol expression.

• Use yeast nutrient (such as Yeast Lightning) to support ester and thiol development while avoiding sulfur compounds.

Superformula: Recipe Design for Maximum Thiol Expression

Malt Selection

• Choose low-kilned malts (Pilsner, European barley varieties) to maximize thiol precursor availability.

• Barley contributes more thiol precursors than wheat or oats, making it ideal for thiol-enhanced styles.

Hops & Thiol Precursors

• Mash hopping with high-thiol precursor hops (Cascade, Calypso, Motueka) can significantly boost aroma intensity.

• A light step mash at ~50°C (122°F) helps unlock bound thiols.

• Best hop pairings for Superlager: New Zealand varieties like Motueka and Nelson Sauvin.

• Avoid heavy late additions of noble hops (Saaz, Hallertau) if going for a modern thiol-driven profile.

Bonus Boosters

• Consider Phantasm powder, derived from Sauvignon Blanc grape skins, to further amplify tropical aromas.

Building Super Strength: Repitching & Versatility

One of Superlager’s biggest strengths is its versatile thiol expression:

• In traditional lagers, it delivers a subtle, refined thiol presence.

• In hop-forward styles, with added thiol precursors, the tropical impact becomes more pronounced.

• The thiol expression is stable over time, keeping your beer punchy for 6+ months.

Final Thoughts

Every great brew needs a hero, and Superlager is ready to save the day! Whether you're looking for a clean and crisp lager or showcase a bold, thiol-charged hop explosion, this strain gives you the power to craft something extraordinary. Master your fermentation, harness the thiols, and brew with confidence—Superlager has your back!

Ready to unleash the power of Superlager? Get your pitch and start your next brewing adventure today!