First time using Safale S04

[Burtsbeets]

As the title says, this is my first time using Safale S04, and I am absolutely amazed at how clear the beer is straight out of the fermenter and wanted to share! There were little boulder looking clumps of yeast at the bottom that could withstand a fair amount of agitation. Are most British ale yeasts like this?

The brew is a Maris Otter light golden ale hopped with EKG and cascade for aroma. Really looking forward to tasting this one as I am hoping to nail down a solid summer session ale.

I have seen a few people don't tend to like S04, is there another dried alternative that anyone would suggest experimenting with?

Cheers THBF!

 

[Brianbrewed]

I've used Safale 04 and I rate it highly. Ferments like lightening.
I use it a lot in malt forward beers.

Mangrove Jacks have an Empire Ale yeast which is also quite decent.

 

[Clint]

They look great...but keep them in the dark...
I'm not fussed with 04,I like Notty and my new favourites are Mangrove Jack... Liberty Bell,Empire Ale and West Coast..and their Saison yeast..all seem to do a great job!

 

[grooves]

I like S04 - but Lallemand Nottingham is an even better choice for any style of ale, but particularly British ales - it will also drop clear.

 

[Avo]

What yeast is best for porter, stout beers ?

 

[Brianbrewed]

04 I'd say

 

[Avo]

Got a stout on the go at the moment with CML beoir, it has not been that dynamic, ticking away, will keep an eye on it

 

[Rodcx500z]

I prefare notty or wilko gervin which is notty, really clean and at 2 quid a pop cheap

 

[Gerryjo]

Got a stout on the go at the moment with CML beoir, it has not been that dynamic, ticking away, will keep an eye on it

Tried that CML Beoir and wasn't overly impressed,that being said CML have some fantastic yeast at even better prices.S04 and Nottingham are great with stouts but can get a bit hyperactive so leave plenty of headroom or use a blow off tube.

 

[Burtsbeets]

They look great...but keep them in the dark...
I'm not fussed with 04,I like Notty and my new favourites are Mangrove Jack... Liberty Bell,Empire Ale and West Coast..and their Saison yeast..all seem to do a great job!

Haha, yeah, they are in a box in a dark place as we speak. I just really like the clear bottles as you get to see your beer in all its glory and you can see how the sediment has dropped.

Cheers for the recommendations on yeasts, I may have to do a bit of experimentation!

 

[reddibaggie]

S04 is the yeast most breweries in Lincolnshire use. When ever I talk to a new brewery for beers for the pub I always quiz them about their brews. 2 breweries are regularly putting Vienna malt at 10-20% for milds, bitter and stouts instead of the full pale malt.

 

[Avo]

Tried that CML Beoir and wasn't overly impressed,that being said CML have some fantastic yeast at even better prices.S04 and Nottingham are great with stouts but can get a bit hyperactive so leave plenty of headroom or use a blow off tube.

The ferment stalled at about 1025, so I've put in a hydrated SO4 to try and restart it.
Must get hold of some Gervin and see how that Pans out.

 

[Gerryjo]

The ferment stalled at about 1025, so I've put in a hydrated SO4 to try and restart it.
Must get hold of some Gervin and see how that Pans out.

I've seen and heard of S04 stalling and not restarting but I certainly hope yours does though it has not happened to me but do wonder if some people are mashing higher than what they believe this leaving unfermentable sugars behind.

 

[Justin Dean]

SO4 is a solid performing yeast but does not give much flavour. For more yeast derived flavour Danstar windsor?

 

[Dads_Ale]

I've seen and heard of S04 stalling and not restarting but I certainly hope yours does though it has not happened to me but do wonder if some people are mashing higher than what they believe this leaving unfermentable sugars behind.

I think it was the Beoir yeast that stalled. I use Beoir quite a bit now for my bitters and it doesn’t ferment down very low, usually around 1014 so have to adjust the recipe to avoid an overly sweet beer.
Never had a problem with S04.

 

[Gerryjo]

I think it was the Beoir yeast that stalled. I use Beoir quite a bit now for my bitters and it doesn’t ferment down very low, usually around 1014 so have to adjust the recipe to avoid an overly sweet beer.
Never had a problem with S04.

No was certainly S04 and there's a few YouTubers who have had it stall.

 

[moto748]

I have mostly used 04 for brewing bitter, although I have read a few criticisms of it here. It seems to have worked fine for me, although of course I'm open to other suggestions.

 

[Sandimas]

S-04 struggles more with dark beers and can stall, thread here S-04 under-attenuating for dark beers

It was my go-to yeast for many years, mainly because I bottle most of my brews and as the OP noted, it produces a really clear beer and rock-solid sediment at the bottom of bottles. Like others, I find it a bit bland and have recently moved over to MJ Liberty Bell as my "house yeast", along with Gervin.

 

[Burtsbeets]

S-04 struggles more with dark beers and can stall, thread here S-04 under-attenuating for dark beers

It was my go-to yeast for many years, mainly because I bottle most of my brews and as the OP noted, it produces a really clear beer and rock-solid sediment at the bottom of bottles. Like others, I find it a bit bland and have recently moved over to MJ Liberty Bell as my "house yeast", along with Gervin.

That's interesting with the underattenuation, will keep that in mind when brewing darker. I was actually thinking of putting it in a tropical stout.

How do the beers settle with the difderent yeasts now? Is it just a case of a bit of more patience?

 

[Sandimas]

How do the beers settle with the difderent yeasts now? Is it just a case of a bit of more patience?

No, some are much more mobile e.g. I just couldn't get on with the Crossmyloof ale yeast, it didn't compact at all, Safale US-05 also doesn't seem to be great at compacting.