Question about S-04

[thedude123]

Will this work for a Pale Ale or a Blonde Ale? I usually use SA-05 but I have 4 packets of SA-04 and I am not sure what to do with them.

 

[Saccharomyces]

Good for blonde ale, not so much for a pale ale IMO.

 

[jma99]

04 is great for a blonde, I have one on tap now.
04 will also make a killer bitter.

 

[thedude123]

Does it not work in a Pale ale because it doesn't go well with a strong hop flavor?

 

[fat x nub]

Does it not work in a Pale ale because it doesn't go well with a strong hop flavor?

because the US-05 is a cleaner strain (i think its the Chico strain) which is really made for a pale ale

 

[The Pol]

S-04 has been AWESOME in my Blondes... wonder if they know?

 

[thedude123]

Well Blonde ale it is

 

[Saccharomyces]

Does it not work in a Pale ale because it doesn't go well with a strong hop flavor?

It accentuates the malt flavor which is working against you in a pale ale. You want a drier finish so the hops come through.

That said if you are doing AG and can mash low (150*F for 75 min) it would attenuate like the US-05 and would be worth giving a shot in a pale ale...

 

[thedude123]

Yes I am doing AG, why would the lower mashing temp make the yeast attenuate more?

 

[ifishsum]

Mashing at a slightly lower temperature yields a higher percentage of fermentable sugars from your grains.

 

[discgolfin]

Good for blonde ale, not so much for a pale ale IMO.

Agreed..I did 10 gallons of home grown cascade pale ale with 5 gallon s05 and 5 gallon s04. The s04 has a fair amount of fruity estery and ended up at 1.017..s05 was 1.015.

s05 is best APA and IPA yeast IMO

J

 

[mew]

I like my blondes clean, so I wouldn't use the S-04 for that application. I like some of my stouts kind of fruity/estery, so some kind of British-style stout would be great with S-04.

 

[TeleTwanger]

call me crazy but s04 is ideal for PAs. Ales are supposed to have esters and malt flavor...If you ferment low (64-66) it will be very clean.

 

[The Pol]

I have used S-04 in my APAs and they have been phenominal! Fermented at 65F

 

[Rudeboy]

I think it depends if you're talking about an APA or a British Pale Ale. I think you'd be ok with a British Pale Ale. Diffenately not an American.

Still it would be better suited for Stouts, Porters, Milds, etc.

Rudeboy

 

[The Pol]

I think it depends if you're talking about an APA or a British Pale Ale. I think you'd be ok with a British Pale Ale. Diffenately not an American.

Still it would be better suited for Stouts, Porters, Milds, etc.

Rudeboy

Next time I am up in Edmonton I will have to let ya know! I fly Chicago to Edmonton on occassion!

 

[thePudwhack]

Well, what about a Redhook ESB clone? I just pitched S-04 onto my first AG 2 days ago. Is this supposed to be a maltier beer that would benefit from the fruity/estery profile?

I have the ingredients for a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale look alike next weekend, and had already planned to use the S05 for that.

 

[TeleTwanger]

Well, what about a Redhook ESB clone? I just pitched S-04 onto my first AG 2 days ago. Is this supposed to be a maltier beer that would benefit from the fruity/estery profile?

I have the ingredients for a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale look alike next weekend, and had already planned to use the S05 for that.

The only ale I would use 05 over 04 would be a West Coast APA like Sierra Nevada but, even that I'd rather use the East Coast Ale.

 

[KingBrianI]

let us not forget that english bitters are in fact pale ales. so depending on whether you are aiming for an english pale ale or an american pale ale, the characteristics of s-04 may or may not be desirable.