Brewer's yeast is a dried, inactive yeast left over from making beer, with a savoury, slightly bitter flavour, naturally occurring protein and several B vitamins. It's a close cousin of nutritional yeast, but the two taste different, and brewer's yeast often contains gluten, so the label is worth a careful read.
What is brewer's yeast?
Brewers use Saccharomyces cerevisiae to ferment the sugars in malted grain into beer. Once fermentation is done, the yeast is separated out, dried and usually "debittered" to take the edge off the hops. You'll see it sold as a powder, flakes or tablets, sometimes labelled dried yeast, debittered brewer's yeast or simply yeast powder.
Good to know
Heat-drying makes brewer's yeast inactive, so it won't raise bread. It also isn't the live yeast homebrewers buy, or the probiotic yeast Saccharomyces boulardii.
Brewer's yeast vs nutritional yeast
Both are usually the same species as baker's yeast. The difference is that baker's yeast is sold active, to raise bread, while brewer's and nutritional yeast are dried and inactive, made for eating.
| Brewer's yeast | Nutritional yeast | |
|---|---|---|
| Source | A by-product of brewing beer | Grown as a food |
| Flavour | Savoury, slightly bitter | Cheesy, nutty |
| B vitamins | Naturally occurring; check the label | Usually fortified, often with B12 |
| Gluten | Often contains gluten from brewing grains | Often labelled gluten-free |
| Format | Powder, flakes, tablets | Flakes or powder |
Brewer's yeast
Valued for its naturally occurring B vitamins, but not a reliable source of B12 unless the label says it's been added. The one to use when a recipe names it.
Nutritional yeast
Cheesier, easier to cook with and better on popcorn. Many are fortified with B12, which is why vegans keep a jar in the cupboard.
Neither one is healthier outright. Compare the Nutrition Facts table or supplement label on each and pick the one you'll actually eat.
NOWBrewer's YeastDebittered powder. Contains wheat.Shop →
Bob's Red MillNutritional YeastLarge flakes with added B12. Labelled gluten-free.Shop →
Bulk stationNutritional yeastFortified with B vitamins, including B12.Shop →
Powder, flakes or tablets
Powder is the most common format and the easiest to measure. NOW Brewer's Yeast is a fine, debittered powder in a 225 g jar. Its label suggests 2 tablespoons (16 g) a day, mixed into milk, cereal or juice, or added to cooking and baking.
Flakes are lighter and coarser, so they sprinkle well. Most nutritional yeast comes this way.
Tablets are handy if you don't want to taste it at all. We don't keep brewer's yeast tablets on the shelf right now, so ask us and we'll tell you what's available.
We also carry a bulk organic brewer's yeast, so you can buy a small amount to try. You're welcome to bring your own jar to the bulk station.
How to use it in food
The flavour is savoury with a slight bitterness, so it works best where other flavours carry it. Start with a teaspoon and work up.
- Stirred in. Blend it into a smoothie with banana and peanut butter, or stir it into orange juice, milk or oatmeal.
- Savoury dishes. A spoonful disappears into soups, stews, gravy, chili or scrambled eggs and adds a little depth.
- Baking. Add it to muffins, breads, energy bites and cookies. Because it's inactive, it won't change how your dough rises.
Debittered brewer's yeast disappears into a smoothie or a pot of soup far better than into a glass of water.
Lactation cookies
Brewer's yeast is a traditional ingredient in lactation cookie recipes, usually alongside oats and ground flaxseed. Many parents enjoy baking a batch in the early weeks, and a cookie you can grab one-handed is welcome on its own merits. Our prenatal and breastfeeding guide covers the teas and herbs nursing parents ask us about. If you have questions about feeding or milk supply, our lactation consultant at the Bedford clinic is the right person to ask.
Can you use nutritional yeast instead? In a recipe, yes, though the flavour will be cheesier and less bitter. If a recipe or a practitioner names brewer's yeast specifically, stick with brewer's yeast.
Reading the label in three steps
Brewer's yeast naturally contains protein, B vitamins such as thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2) and niacin (B3), and the trace mineral chromium. Amounts vary by brand and batch, so go by the jar you're holding.
- Check the serving size. Nutrients are listed per serving, and a serving can be anything from a teaspoon to two tablespoons.
- Look for fortification. If you're counting on yeast for B12, the ingredients should name cyanocobalamin or vitamin B12. Our Bob's Red Mill and bulk nutritional yeast are both fortified with B vitamins, including B12.
- See if it's debittered. Debittered brewer's yeast is much easier to eat. If a product doesn't say, expect a stronger taste.
Gluten: check before you buy
Because brewer's yeast comes from beer made with barley or wheat, many products contain gluten. Some brands grow their yeast on gluten-free grains, so it depends entirely on the product.
Avoiding gluten?
The NOW Brewer's Yeast we carry lists "Contains: wheat". Nutritional yeast labelled gluten-free, like Bob's Red Mill, is usually the easier swap. For celiac disease, a sealed, labelled package is safer than any bulk bin, where cross-contact is always possible.
Our gluten-free grocery starter list has more ideas.
Who should check with a provider first
Brewer's yeast is a food for most people, but talk to your doctor, pharmacist or naturopathic doctor first if:
- You take an MAOI antidepressant. Yeast products contain tyramine, which can interact with this group of medications.
- You take diabetes medication. Brewer's yeast contains chromium, so it's sensible to ask whether it affects your blood sugar plan.
- You have a yeast allergy or sensitivity, or Crohn's disease. Many people with these conditions are advised to avoid yeast products.
- You're watching purines. Yeast is high in purines, which matters if you've been advised to limit them for gout.
Start small
Some people notice gas or bloating when they first start. Beginning with a teaspoon and building up usually helps.
Questions we get a lot
Can I buy brewer's yeast at the grocery store?
It's more often found in health food stores and the supplement aisle than in a regular grocery store. We carry NOW Brewer's Yeast powder and a bulk organic brewer's yeast, and we're glad to check stock before you make the trip.
What is another name for brewer's yeast?
You may see it called dried yeast, debittered yeast or Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Nutritional yeast is a related but different product, often nicknamed "nooch".
Is brewer's yeast the same as B12?
No. It has naturally occurring B vitamins, but it isn't a reliable source of B12 unless the label says B12 has been added. Fortified nutritional yeast is the more common choice for B12.
Can I take brewer's yeast every day?
Many people use it daily as a food. Follow the serving on the label, and talk to your healthcare provider first if any of the situations above apply to you.
Will brewer's yeast make my bread rise?
No, it's inactive. For baking you need active dry or instant yeast, like Bob's Red Mill Active Dry Yeast, which you'll find in the baking section.
Bob's Red MillActive Dry YeastLive baker's yeast for bread and baking, not a supplement.Shop →
Not sure which yeast is right for you?
Bring your recipe or your question to either store, and we'll help you compare labels for gluten, B12 and flavour.
Brewer's yeast and nutritional yeast are on our shelves at both stores: 486 Starboard Drive in Bedford and 590 Portland Street in Dartmouth, open seven days. For more on B12, our vitamin B12 guide compares sprays, lozenges, liquids and capsules. In HRM, order by 11 am with Luminate Express for same-day delivery, or choose pickup. Anywhere else in Canada, orders over $80 ship free.
Sources: product labels and listings for the items shown; Canadian Celiac Association. This article is general information, not medical advice.
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