The arena is packed. The crowd roars. This is no ordinary duel—it’s a clash of titans, a battle for dominance in the kingdom of hazy IPAs. All eyes are on the gladiatorial stage, where two mighty contenders step into the spotlight, ready to prove their worth.In one corner, we have Verdant IPA yeast, a champion of fruity esters and haze-friendly performance. In the other, Pomona IPA yeast, the brash newcomer promising bold, juicy punches.
The crowd leans in as the tension crackles between the contenders. Who will emerge victorious in this epic showdown? Who will claim the throne as the ultimate dry yeast for crafting hazy, juicy perfection?
Let’s dive headfirst into this yeast gladiator showdown. It’s Verdant vs. Pomona—let the battle begin!
Before the clash begins, let’s meet our combatants and understand their strengths.
Standing tall with years of brewing glory under its belt is Verdant IPA yeast, a strain that has become a true legend in the world of hazy IPAs. Its origins are rooted in the heart of Verdant Brewing Co., a brewery celebrated for crafting intensely flavorful, hop-forward beers that have set the gold standard for the hazy IPA style.
Initially, Verdant Brewing Co. relied on London Ale III (and may still use it), a liquid yeast strain revered for its fruity esters, soft, velvety mouthfeel, and haze-enhancing capabilities. This strain became a cornerstone of their brewing process, delivering the distinctive flavor and aroma profiles essential to their iconic beers.
Recognizing the opportunity to share the magic of Verdant’s beers with brewers worldwide, Lallemand, a leader in dry yeast innovation, collaborated with Verdant Brewing Co. to develop a dry yeast specifically for hazy IPA brewers: Verdant IPA yeast. This strain captures the essence of Verdant Brewing Co.’s masterpieces and is likely a dry adaptation of London Ale III, refined for performance, accessibility, and consistency.
This innovation has revolutionized brewing by allowing brewers around the globe to confidently replicate Verdant’s signature hop-forward, juicy beers. By making the magic of Verdant accessible to everyone, Verdant IPA yeast continues to elevate the world of hazy IPAs, one pint at a time.
Enter Pomona IPA yeast, the fiery newcomer to the world of hazy IPAs, ready to take on the champions with boldness and flair. Named after Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit, this dry yeast is a tribute to the juicy, fruit-forward beers that dominate the craft beer scene. Pomona isn’t here to play second fiddle—it’s here to make a statement. With promises of amplified citrus, vibrant tropical fruit character, and haze retention that defies time itself, it’s a challenger with everything to prove.
The story of Pomona IPA yeast begins with Escarpment Labs, a Canadian yeast lab innovator known for developing strains that push the boundaries of modern brewing. They collaborated with Lallemand to create Pomona IPA yeast, a strain specifically designed to enhance the flavor, aroma, and haze of hazy IPAs. Escarpment’s expertise in cultivating yeast strains tailored to the needs of craft brewers is evident in Pomona, which was built from the ground up to cater to the juicy, peachy, hop-forward beers that have captivated the beer world.
The moment of truth begins as the lids are lifted from the fermenters, unleashing an aromatic battle of fruity complexity.
Verdant IPA yeast makes its presence known with an elegant symphony of tropical fruit and citrus undertones. These aromas meld seamlessly with hop-derived character, creating a balanced bouquet that feels effortlessly integrated. Thanks to its β-lyase enzyme activity, Verdant excels at promoting hop biotransformation, accentuating hop flavor and aroma in a way that complements its own natural esters. The result is a refined, layered aroma that feels soft yet impactful—like a precise strike from a seasoned gladiator.
Pomona IPA yeast, on the other hand, steps into the arena with bold, juicy intensity. Its advanced development by Escarpment Labs through yeast breeding and adaptive laboratory evolution shines through. The aroma bursts forth with peach, citrus, and tropical fruits, amplified by its robust biotransformation capabilities. Pomona doesn’t just complement the hops; it elevates them, producing a unique and vibrant profile that feels dynamic and modern. It’s a punchy, in-your-face experience that roars with confidence and vigor, embodying the daring spirit of the new IPA frontier.
Winner: A draw—both strains excel in their own right. Verdant offers balance, integration, and a softer body, while Pomona dazzles with boldness and complexity. The choice depends on your brew’s desired personality: graceful harmony or fearless intensity.
In the world of hazy IPAs, haze isn’t just a visual characteristic—it’s a symbol of the beer’s rich, juicy, and hop-forward identity. A stable, enduring haze is essential for maintaining the beer’s allure, and both Verdant and Pomona step into the ring ready to showcase their haze-retention prowess.
Verdant IPA yeast delivers a dependable, soft haze that floats effortlessly in the pint glass, like a delicate cloud suspended in golden sunshine. Its haze is uniform and stable, the result of a yeast strain that interacts seamlessly with proteins and polyphenols from the grain and hops. The end result is a beer that not only looks stunning but remains photogenic for the duration of its life in the glass. Verdant's haze leans toward elegance, complementing the balanced, refined profile of the beers it produces.
Pomona IPA yeast, however, enters with a thicker, more pronounced haze. The result of advanced yeast engineering by Escarpment Labs, Pomona actively amplifies the haze potential of a beer, interacting with hops and proteins to create a denser, more opaque appearance. Its haze retention feels like armor—solid, reliable, and built to withstand the test of time. This makes Pomona particularly well-suited for modern IPAs that aim to leave a striking first impression and maintain a consistent look from taproom pours to Instagram feeds.
While both dry yeasts deliver excellent haze stability, Pomona’s haze has a slight edge in terms of density and opacity. For brewers seeking a haze that is bold and unmistakable, Pomona stands out as the winner in this category.
Winner: Pomona. While Verdant offers a soft and elegant haze, Pomona’s denser, more opaque haze takes the crown, embodying the bold, unyielding visual appeal that defines the modern hazy IPA.
In the battle of attenuation, the contenders face off over how efficiently they ferment the sugars in your wort and the kind of finish they leave in your hazy IPA. Attenuation is crucial because it determines whether your beer achieves the perfect balance of sweetness and dryness or tips too far in one direction. Too little attenuation can leave a beer cloyingly sweet, while excessive attenuation risks stripping it of the juicy, full-bodied character that defines the style.
Verdant IPA yeast typically attenuates in the medium-high range, around 75-82%, depending on fermentation conditions. When it performs well, Verdant provides a rounded, pillowy mouthfeel with just enough residual sweetness to enhance its fruity esters, delivering a classic hazy IPA experience.
Pomona IPA yeast, with attenuation ranging from 75-84%, often finishes at the higher end (around 82% in our experience), making it a more consistent performer. Despite its high attenuation, Pomona produces a slick, full-bodied mouthfeel that creates a smooth, juicy impression. This might be linked to higher glycerol production, though this is speculative. While Pomona’s full body and bold character are a major advantage for many brewers, some might find it slightly overpowering, particularly in beers aiming for a crisper finish.
Winner: A split decision. Pomona excels with consistent attenuation and a fuller mouthfeel, making it ideal for modern, bold hazy IPAs. Verdant, with its softer finish and variability, offers a more traditional and classic hazy IPA profile. The best choice depends on your brewing goals and desired beer character.
So, which dry yeast should you choose? That decision ultimately depends on your brewing goals and the flavor profile you want to achieve. Both Verdant and Pomona bring their unique strengths to the table, so let’s break it down:
Ultimately, the choice between Verdant and Pomona depends on the story you want your hazy IPA to tell. Verdant is your go-to for classic richness and balance, while Pomona delivers boldness and intensity that redefines the style. Whatever your choice, both dry yeasts are champions in their own right.
In this epic battle, there is no single victor—only champions suited to different arenas. Verdant is the classic hero while Pomona is the brash upstart, pushing boundaries with boldness.
Both dry yeasts are formidable tools in your brewing arsenal. Whether you’re crafting a soft pillow of tropical bliss or a juice bomb with citrus fireworks, the choice is yours.
The battle between Verdant and Pomona will rage on in brewhouses worldwide. But no matter which yeast you choose, the real winner is your pint glass.
