Kimmich used this "house strain" to create , a double IPA at The Alchemist that became so famous it sparked a global obsession with hazy, "juicy" beers. The yeast earned the nickname "Conan" from Noonan because of its aggressive, "barbarian-like" fermentation behavior and ability to produce distinct notes of peach, apricot, and pineapple . How to "Buy" the Mystery
For years, homebrewers had to "capture" the yeast by culturing it from the dregs of a Heady Topper can. Today, while the original strain is still officially a secret, you can buy commercial versions that are widely recognized as the Conan lineage, usually sold under "Vermont" or "Barbarian" labels: buy conan yeast
The strain's journey began in the 1980s when brewing pioneer of the Vermont Pub & Brewery brought a mysterious yeast back from England. He gifted a culture to his protege, John Kimmich , with one strict condition: never share it with anyone else . Kimmich used this "house strain" to create ,
What's your preferred source for Conan yeast? : r/Homebrewing Today, while the original strain is still officially
The story of "Conan" yeast is a legend of the modern craft beer revolution, moving from a secretive gift to the driving force behind the New England IPA (NEIPA) craze. The Legend of Conan