Fri Jan 23, 2009 6:58 am
I don't find pacman to be any more attenuative than 1056/001. Rogue's drier beers have about 78% AA and most people who use 1056/001 know that it will do about the same with a reasonably fermentable wort.
The dramatic difference, IMO, is in flocculation. If you bottle condition or would prefer a slightly cleaner beer that might be a reason to use pacman instead of 1056/001.
It does seem to tolerate colder temperatures better, that may or may not be an advantage. Maybe if you are fermenting uncontrolled in your basement you use Pacman in the winter and 1056 in the summer.
I know John Maier believes it that it favors maltiness a bit and helps him make balanced beers with a lot of hops. I'm not sure I have noticed a dramatic difference in flavor profile but I haven't done a lot of side by side testing.