Thiolized® Swig of Sunbeams

Why just transform a beer when you could biotransform it?! The base of this kit is our much loved Swig of Sunbeams hazy IPA - now with four Thiolized® yeast options from Omega. The Thiolized process enhances a yeast’s ability to biotransform compounds found in malt and hops to unleash thiols — flavor- and aroma-active compounds reminiscent of grapefruit, passion fruit, and guava. Take this kit’s aromas of mango, pineapple, papaya, and grapefruit to the extreme with your choice of Thiolized® yeast.

Thiolized® Swig of Sunbeams Brewing Notes:

Style: Double IPA, NEIPA
Fermentation Range: 50-74°F
Original Gravity: 1.074
SRM: 7
IBU: 68
ABV: 8.3%

Thiolized® Swig of Sunbeams Tasting Notes:

Extreme aromas of mango, pineapple, papaya, and grapefruit.
Medium body.
Dry finish with a lingering bitterness.

Looking for the All-Grain Version?

Notes from Brad, Northern Brewer Head Brewer:

Omega Yeast has been up to some serious sorcery when it comes to novel yeast strains. The pure biological alchemy taking place in their laboratory (I can only assume it is an enchanting alcove chock-full of dazzling curiosities generally only observed within the confines of Hogwarts) has taken the otherwise mundane domain of saccharomyces to dizzying new heights. Omega's Thiolozed® yeast series leverages a specific gene present in brewer's yeast to produce an enzyme allowing for the production of thiols (aromatic and flavorful compounds) to substantially increase sensory perception of compounds abundant in malt and hops that would otherwise go unnoticed. These strains of thiolized yeast produce bouquets of tropical fruit flavors and aromas, notably grapefruit, passion fruit and guava with ease.

With this incredible new tool now nestled in our bag of brewing tricks, we slinked off into the brew cave, firmly affixed our thinking caps, and brainstormed over a few pints on the best way to showcase the splendor these yeast strains have to offer. After a few sips of a very fruit-forward hoppy IPA, it dawned on us - we already had the answer in our arsenal of beer recipes. Shining down upon us from the fleecy clouds of homebrew heaven, we were treated to grandiose visions of an apropos marriage between Swig of Sunbeams and Omega Yeast's Thiolized yeast strains. It turned out to be a harmonious union, with Swig of Sunbeams offering an already profound sensory experience, only to be buttressed by a veritable infantry of newly freed thiols.

When choosing one of these new thiolized yeast strains, there are a few factors to take into account. First is the overall flavor and aroma thiol intensity produced by these strains. Due to the methods used to produce them, Star Party, Lunar Crush, and Helio Gazer will produce the most sensory compounds, while the original, Cosmic Punch, will be a bit more subdued but will still result in a huge increase of free thiols. Together with the already potent flavors and aromas of Citra® hops, there really is no wrong way to go here. The second factor to consider is the behavior of the parent yeast strains that these thiolized versions are born from. Because the only changes to the yeast are the addition of thiol-producing genes and enzymes, the fermentation kinetics remain the same as the parent strains. For instance, Cosmic Punch and Helio Gazer will behave just as you would expect British Ale V to, while leaving the characteristic persistent haze so crucial to the NE IPA style. Star Party's parent is the classic Chico strain, so expect the same attenuation, flocculation, and flavor profile of OYL-004, but with massively increased thiol productions. Lunar Crush, on the other hand, is based on OYL-113 Mexican Lager, so be sure to pitch an appropriate amount of yeast and ferment at the traditional cool temperatures.

Any direction you take this batch will undoubtedly yield a wildly aromatic and flavorful end product, so choose your own adventure to the ambrosial land of tropical fruit character with any of these groundbreaking yeast strains. Have fun with this one, and as always, let us know how it turns out!"