Fermentis SafLager W-34/70 Bohemian Lager Yeast

One of the most famous and widely used lager strains in the world. W-34/70 originated from the Weihenstephan yeast bank in Germany (home of one of the oldest and most respected brewing universities on the planet). It’s a true classic bottom-fermenting lager strain that has become the go-to for a huge number of commercial breweries making clean, crisp lagers.

Note that this is not the same yeast used in Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier - that beer uses a wheat beer strain.

Best For

German-style Pilsners, Helles, Festbiers, American lagers, and any clean, crisp lager where you want reliable fermentation and a neutral profile that lets the malt and hops shine.

Hard Specs

• Attenuation: 78–84%
• Flocculation: Medium
• Temperature Range: 48–59°F (ideal 50–55°F)
• Alcohol Tolerance: Up to 11% ABV
• More tech specs

Flavor & Behavior

This is a very clean lager strain. It produces minimal esters and sulfur when fermented properly at lager temperatures, which is why it’s so popular for traditional German lagers. It finishes dry and crisp with good drinkability.

It’s known for being reliable and consistent, which is part of why it became such a widely adopted strain across both large and small breweries.

In Practice

If you’re making lagers and want something dependable that won’t throw weird off-flavors when treated right, W-34/70 is one of the safest and most proven choices available in dry form. It’s the strain behind a massive amount of commercial lager production worldwide. While it’s not the most “characterful” lager yeast, that’s usually the point — it gets out of the way and lets the beer style do the talking.

Pitching & Rehydration

One 11g sachet does a standard 5 gallon batch around 1.050 OG. Rehydrate in 86–95°F water for 15–30 minutes before pitching. For best results with lagers, make sure your fermentation temperature stays nice and cold.