Sigmund Kveik Ale Yeast | White Labs WLP520 | Vault Strain

White Labs WLP520 Sigmund Kveik Ale Yeast

White Labs WLP520 Sigmund Kveik Ale Yeast is a Vault strain sourced from Sigmund Gjernes of Voss, Norway. White Labs describes it as a Voss kveik strain with earthy character and a touch of orange peel aroma, built for brewers who want reliable warm fermentation without tight temperature control.

Use WLP520 when you want the speed and heat tolerance associated with Norwegian farmhouse kveik while keeping the profile approachable for American ales, pale ales, IPAs, porters, stouts, and other clean-to-lightly-expressive warm-fermented beers.

Fermentation profile

• White Labs part number: WLP520
• Strain name: Sigmund Kveik Ale Yeast
• Type: White Labs Vault strain
• Attenuation: 75% - 83%
• Flocculation: Medium to high
• Alcohol tolerance: Medium to high, 8% - 12% ABV
• Fermentation temperature: 72°F - 98°F / 22°C - 37°C
• STA1: Negative

Flavor and aroma

WLP520 is a Voss kveik strain with earthy flavor and subtle orange peel aroma. It is not meant to behave like a neutral Chico-style ale yeast, but it can still stay controlled enough for hop-forward ales and darker beer styles when fermentation is managed well.

Warm fermentation can bring more kveik expression and faster turnaround. Cooler fermentation within the listed range can keep the profile more restrained, though kveik strains are often chosen because they perform well when a normal ale strain would be stressed.

Best beer styles

White Labs lists WLP520 for American IPA, Blonde Ale, Brown Ale, Double IPA, Hazy/Juicy IPA, Pale Ale, Porter, Red Ale, and Stout. That makes it useful for brewers who want one warm-tolerant liquid strain that can cover both hoppy ales and maltier pub-style beers.

• American IPA, Double IPA, Hazy/Juicy IPA, and Pale Ale
• Blonde Ale, Red Ale, and Brown Ale
• Porter and Stout
• Warm-fermented ales when temperature control is limited

How to use WLP520

Keep the pouch refrigerated until brew day and follow White Labs handling guidance for pitching liquid yeast. For higher-gravity beers, older packages, or very demanding fermentations, consider building a starter or pitching enough fresh yeast for the wort gravity and batch size.

Kveik can ferment very quickly when warm, so plan for active fermentation and enough headspace. If you are fermenting hot, yeast nutrition matters. A yeast nutrient such as White Labs Zinc Buddy can help support healthy fermentation, especially in high-gravity or nutrient-limited wort.

Storage and shipping

White Labs liquid yeast should stay cold until use. For shipped orders, especially during warm weather, add yeast shipping protection to help buffer the package in transit. Melted ice packs are normal; the goal is reducing heat exposure during the trip.

For more liquid strains, browse our White Labs yeast collection or compare other warm-fermentation options in our kveik yeast collection.

FAQ

Is WLP520 the same as Voss kveik?
White Labs describes WLP520 as a kveik strain from Sigmund Gjernes of Voss, Norway, and notes that it is also known as Voss Kveik.

What temperature should I ferment WLP520 at?
White Labs lists 72°F - 98°F / 22°C - 37°C. It is a good choice when normal ale temperature control is difficult, but fermentation character will still change with temperature.

What does WLP520 taste like?
Expect earthy kveik character with a light orange peel aroma. It works well in hoppy ales, amber-to-brown ales, porters, and stouts where citrusy farmhouse character can sit comfortably with hops or malt.