For best effect, Fermentis offers some selection of valuable yeast and nutritional strains dedicated to hard seltzer.
Nutrition: SpringFem NAB-3
SpringFermTM NAB-3 must be used in combination with active dry yeast. It is a 100% mineral based fermentation aid developed by Fermentis to ferment pure-sugar media with yeast. It allows fermentation of “pure” sugars very fast without any other additions and to obtain a perfectly neutral final product. This fermentation solution is ideal to produce neutral alcohol base for formulation into beverages such as alcopops, hard seltzers.
Dosage: 440g/hl for high gravity wort containing [270 – 300] g of “pure” sugar / liter.
Yeast Selection
However, SpringFermTM NAB-3 must be used in combination with active dry yeast. Fermentis recommends some options for the dry yeast range: SafSpiritTM HG-1, SafŒnoTM VR 44 and Safcider.
SafSpirit HG-1
Description: Used for Very High Gravity (VHG) fermentation. High tolerance to ethanol, able to reach 18% v/v, depending on the process and substrate. Very good resistance to the osmotic pressure and high fermentation temperatures (thermotolerant yeast). This strain achieves good yields when fermenting at VHG, allowing maximized production capacity, generating incredible savings in energy. Generally produces neutral alcohol profiles. Ferments all kinds of mashes, worts, or juices produced from any kind of grain, potatoes or other type of starches, sugar cane substrates, agave or tequila juice, and pure sugar solutions.
Dosage: 30-50 g/hl
Safspirit FD-3
Description: Recommended for fruit fermentation due to its fructophilic character. Reported as a neutral strain, but in some cases produces refined and balanced esters. Low nitrogen demand and high resistance to alcohol, this yeast is very good option to produce most fruits distillates, calvados, pears, brandies, etc; very good results in agave distillates.
Dosage: 30-50 g/hl
SafŒnoTM VR 44
Description: SafŒno™ VR 44 was selected for its excellent fermentation characteristics and its resistance to extreme wine-making conditions (Fermentis® selection).
Dosage: 10 – 40 g/hL
Safcider
Description: Safcider includes 4 yeasts namely Safcider AB-1, Safcider AC-4, Safcider AS-2, and Safcider TF-6 for all types from sweet to dry ciders from fresh/ concentrated apple juices (Safcider TF-6 is only used for fermenting from fresh apple juice).
Safcider is a specific yeast strain for fermenting fruit products, which can ferment well in the condition that the fermentation fluid contains a large amount of sugar and little nutrients. They are also suitable for pure sugar fermentation with neutral aromas.
