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:
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 buy conan yeast
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 For years, homebrewers had to "capture" the 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 . How to "Buy" the Mystery The story of