The best yeast to use for brewing lagers is a bottom-fermenting yeast strain specifically developed for lagers. One of the most commonly used and highly regarded lager yeast strains is Saccharomyces pastorianus, also known as Saccharomyces carlsbergensis. There are several popular yeast strains within this species that are suitable for brewing lagers.

Here are a few examples of lager yeast strains:

  1. Wyeast 2124 Bohemian Lager: This yeast strain is known for producing clean and crisp lagers with a mild ester profile. It is suitable for brewing Czech Pilsners and other Bohemian-style lagers.
  2. White Labs WLP830 German Lager: This strain is known for producing authentic German-style lagers with a clean and malty character. It works well for brewing Munich Helles, Märzen, and other German lagers.
  3. Fermentis Saflager W-34/70: This is a versatile and widely used lager yeast strain. It is known for its ability to produce clean and well-rounded lagers, including Pilsners, Märzens, and Bocks.
  4. Imperial Yeast L17 Harvest: This yeast strain is specifically designed for brewing clean, crisp, and well-balanced lagers. It is suitable for various lager styles, including Pilsners, Oktoberfests, and Schwarzbiers.

When using lager yeast, it is important to ferment at lower temperatures typically ranging from 7°C to 15°C (45°F to 59°F) to achieve the desired flavor and character associated with lagers.