WLP036 Dusseldorf Alt Yeast
Traditional Alt yeast from Dusseldorf, Germany. Produces clean, slightly sweet alt beers. Does not accentuate hop flavor as WLP029 does. 
Attenuation: 65-72%
Flocculation: Medium
Optimum Fermentation Temperature: 65-69°F
Alcohol Tolerance: Medium

Reviews:
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WLP029 vs. WLP036
By: Schuyler Campbell
Date: July 11, 2011
Beers Brewed: Düsseldorf Altbier
Comments: WLP029 flocs out somewhat more easily than WLP036 and ferments better a bit warmer. Where I like WLP036 fermenting around 52F, WLP029 has given me great results at 57F. WLP029 will make a great Altbier and is the preferred yeast for Kölsch. WLP036 is excellent for Altbier, but lacking the character WLP029 provides to the more delicate Kölsch style. As always, with a cooler fermentation, you need to pitch much more yeast, so I always make a big starter when brewing up a German-style ale. WLP029 and WLP036 are excellent yeast choices for cold-fermented ales, but I would not use either German ale yeast if you do not have adequate fermentation temperature control, as they are known to be a lot more testy than the very-similar WLP001. If you want to brew a Kölsch or Alt and you are fermenting at or around room temperature, do yourself a favor and use WLP001 instead. (Note: this review also appears on the WLP029 page).

"One note of caution ... "
By: Josiah Moody
Date: April 8, 2011
Beers Brewed: Altbier
Comments: Just as winter was in its last throws, I decided to brew a simple altbier, as I was able to ferment at lower temperatures. As commercial altbiers are rare in my region, I have nothing to compare the beer to, except guidelines. That said, I would say the yeast (the headliner of the show) was able to present the maltiness of the beer in a uniquely clean, crisp manner (akin to a lager). I was pleasantly surprised at the result. One note of caution from my experience with this yeast is that it produced a very highly carbonated beer (even though I used considerably less dextrose than in previous batches). I don't know if this is common or not to this yeast.

"WLP029 or WLP036?"
By: RCA
Date: March 7, 2011
Beers Brewed: Alt
Comments: I brewed a traditional Dusseldorf Alt a few months ago with the WLP036 and it turned out fantastic. However, I'm thinking of doing another Alt with a N. American spin (mix of Noble and higher alpha-acid American hops) to try and produce something like Ninkasi's Sleigh'r. Not sure if I want to use the WLP036 again or give the WLP029 a try. What differences can I expect if I were to use the WLP029? (Note: this review also appears on the WLP029 page).

" ... one of my top two"
By: Sean
Date: June 15, 2009
Beer Brewed: Amber/Vienna
Comments: Not entirely sure what happened with this one, but first time using this yeast. Mashed at 150, fermented at about 68-72 (just using a water bath and letting it go). Fermentation lasted for about six days initially. Rest occurred for about three then started fermenting again for about another seven days at about 75% of the initial rate. At transfer the beer had almost no body. Flocculation was not great either. Lots of yeast production. Transferred the beer to cornelius kegs where I left for three weeks. Yeast dropped entirely to create a wonderfully bright beer. With the carbonation beer rounded out beautifully. Bitterness was a little apparent than would have liked due to lower residual, but overall yeast went from one of my least favorite to one of my top two! Will be doing this one again.

" ... my local HBS is out ... "
By: Cal
Date: May. 29, 2009
Beer Brewed: Rye Alt
Comments: Beautiful result; nice and malty, a bit sweet, perfectly balancing the noble hops (Tettnanger and Spalter), with that unique rye tang (20% of the grain bill). Quick fermentation at 60-62F, solid flocculation, made this a very easy yeast to work with. The only downside is that my local HBS is out and I'm trying to grow it back up from bottle dregs to use again!

FAQ for this yeast
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It lists 65-69 as appropriate fermentation temp. I fermented lower due to literature on typical Alt production. I was at 62F. What I found is a very fast start to fermentation. Very vigorous fermentation that was totally complete in 4 days. This was totally not what I expected. This was faster than the fermentation I get with 001 or 002 (same starting gravity). Is it possible that this yeast should be fermented even lower than what your range is, or is what I experienced OK and not unexpected?

That fermentation time is still acceptable. You could lower the temp, but that is up to you. I caution two things when fermenting lower than our recommended range: 1.) sometimes the yeast will become stressed and produce sulphur and 2.) if the yeast drops out, most of the time it is a pain to restart fermentation. Just keep both points in mind.