WLP545 Belgian Strong Ale Yeast
Liquid Ale yeast from White Labs.
Lab
White Labs· Ale · Liquid · WLP545
White Labs· Ale · Liquid · WLP545Specs
Attenuation
78–85%
The share of sugars the yeast ferments out. Higher attenuation means a drier, stronger beer.
Optimal temp
19–22°C
66–72°F
The range where this strain ferments cleanly, without throwing off-flavors. Most brewers pitch near the low end.
Flocculation
Medium
How readily the yeast clumps together and drops clear once fermentation winds down.
Alcohol tolerance
≈15% ABV
The rough ABV ceiling where the yeast stresses out and stops fermenting.
Genetic traits
Phenolics
POF+
Clove & spice
Throws phenolics — the clove and spice notes (4-vinyl-guaiacol) behind hefeweizens, witbiers, and saisons. Expect a spicy character, not a clean one.
Diastatic
STA-1+
Finishes bone-dry
Carries the STA1 (diastaticus) gene, so it keeps eating sugars other yeast leave behind and finishes very dry. It's also a contamination risk: it can over-carbonate or gush if it crosses into other beers.
Same strain, other labs
Potential substitutes for WLP545 Belgian Strong Ale Yeast
Usually used in
Christmas Beers & Belgian Ales
Common questions
- What is the WLP545 Belgian Strong Ale Yeast equivalent?
- B64 Napoleon, LalBrew Belle Saison, M29 French Saison Yeast, OYL-026 French Saison, and 3711 French Saison — the same strain from other labs, the Belle Saison / French Saison (3711) strain.
- What is WLP545 Belgian Strong Ale Yeast's attenuation?
- 78–85% apparent attenuation.
- What temperature should I ferment WLP545 Belgian Strong Ale Yeast at?
- 19–22°C is the recommended range.
- Does WLP545 Belgian Strong Ale Yeast produce phenolics (clove and spice)?
- Yes. WLP545 Belgian Strong Ale Yeast is POF-positive — it makes 4-vinyl-guaiacol, the clove and spice character of hefeweizens, witbiers, and saisons.
- Is WLP545 Belgian Strong Ale Yeast diastatic (STA-1)?
- Yes. WLP545 Belgian Strong Ale Yeast carries the STA1 gene (S. cerevisiae var. diastaticus). It super-attenuates to a dry finish, and can over-carbonate or gush if it cross-contaminates other beers.
- What beer styles is WLP545 Belgian Strong Ale Yeast good for?
- Christmas Beers & Belgian Ales.
- What can I substitute for WLP545 Belgian Strong Ale Yeast?
- SafAle BE-134 and M41 Belgian Ale Yeast.
Brew with WLP545 Belgian Strong Ale Yeast
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