S-04 good or bad.

[kh54s10]

In another thread I got someone saying a significant number of homebrewers do not like S-04. I have had zero issues with it and have not heard a big dislike. What do you say?

Added: This is about whether you like or dislike S-04, and not a comparison to, or a preference for another yeast.

 

[HB_ATL73]

In another thread I got someone saying a significant number of homebrewers do not like S-04. I have had zero issues with it and have not heard a big dislike. What do you say?

Yay

 

[kh54s10]

Yay

No vote?

 

[HB_ATL73]

No vote?

Yay means yes

 

[MaxStout]

I've made some decent Brit and Irish ales with S-04. Irish reds, bitters, and a stout once. Never had a problem with it.

 

[Kirkwooder]

Never had any issues.

 

[blubrewbbq]

I haven't had major issues. I keep S-04 and US-05 in stock at all times.

 

[Jtvann]

Just like a thread I recently created about WLP820. Any yeast can perform well if you play within the specified boundaries of the particular strain.

 

[brownni5]

Might as well chime in here as I did in the other post. The only strain I've used thus far that I would not use again. Reliable fermenter, just don't like the flavor profile until the beer has had extended aging time.

Somewhere between "don't care for" and "hate it."

 

[deadwolfbones]

Yay

Technically, the word you're after is "yea."

 

[kh54s10]

So far 8 like it, 2 neutral and one hate. I would say it is not anywhere near a significant amount of homebrewers who dislike S-04

 

[day_trippr]

lmao. A few hours versus plenty of threads to the contrary.
And good luck with that Statistics course...

Cheers!

 

[HTH1975]

We used it as our house strain at the first brewery I worked at. I like it as it does what it says on the tin; so to speak. It’s an easy ‘British’ ale yeast to use, apparently close/derived from Whitbred strain.

 

[skw]

It's always about the right tool for the right job, IMHO. S-04 is a yeast with character, and your malt bill and hops should not get overpowered by it. I once used S-04 for an Arrogant Bastard clone, it fit perfectly.

Also, I'm a fan of yeast strains that flocculate well.

 

[Miraculix]

I really like it.my favourite stout yeast

 

[Northern_Brewer]

apparently close/derived from Whitbred strain.

Although that's the conventional wisdom, DNA sequencing published a year ago has shown that it's got no links to the homebrew strains conventionally linked to Whitbread, like 1098 and WLP007. Instead it's closest to WLP006 Bedford and WLP013 London.

I think the real issue is not so much how many people do or don't like S-04, but why and how. The usual complain seems to be the tartness which is often linked to fermenting over 68F. The fact that high temperature is often mentioned suggests there may be something to that, but one should also consider other factors like taste preferences and other pH-altering practices. So for instance, the main lab near Burton, Murphy's recommend that cask beer should have a final pH of 3.7-4.1, rather less than the typical US beer once it's been degassed. But if you had any beer that was at a "Murphy" pH and then added a ton of carbonic acid by carbing it to Belgian levels, then that carbonic acid is going to appear tart. It seems likely that yes S-04 does come out on the side of low pH compared to other yeasts, but non-British fermentation and carbonation practices may play a part in whether that becomes unpleasantly tart.

So "haters", what temperature did you ferment at and how did you carbonate?

 

[kh54s10]

lmao. A few hours versus plenty of threads to the contrary.
And good luck with that Statistics course...

Cheers!

Never said this would be statistically accurate thing. It is just a poll.

5 like - 68.2%
4 neutral - 18.2%
3 dislike - 13.6% Again this is an informal poll only.......

Despite your "plenty of threads" it does not seem there is a great dislike for S-04

 

[Soulshine2]

In another thread I got someone saying a significant number of homebrewers do not like S-04. I have had zero issues with it and have not heard a big dislike. What do you say?

I've only used it once, and it was on top of a yeast that was inactive 36 hrs , so I cant give a good vote either way.

 

[porter1974]

It's a great yeast. Really versatile and easy to use. It's great for beginners because you don't need to make a starter. It's also great for experienced brewers who want a more simple process. It also lasts a long time if properly stored. Can I change my vote to "really like'?

 

[kh54s10]

Can I change my vote to "really like'?

I think I left the option for changes.

 

[Metalhead_brewer]

really good for me and my stouts.

 

[bierhaus15]

I am totally biased, but IMO, S-04 is the "Wonder Bread" of UK brewing yeasts. The fact that it tastes bready and somewhat tart even when fermented cool does not help it in my opinion. That said, it makes drinkable beer and is very easy to use.

 

[govner1]

I haven't had major issues. I keep S-04 and US-05 in stock at all times.

This ^^^^^

 

[mashpaddled]

It's fine. It works reliably and the flavor is fine but for English beer styles it isn't my favorite strain to use.

 

[Northern_Brewer]

I am totally biased, but IMO, S-04 is the "Wonder Bread" of UK brewing yeasts.

Not biased - experienced, a big difference. The opinions of ten people who are happy with S-04 because they've never used anything other than US-05, don't count for much compared to someone who has brewed with dozens of British strains.

Had to look up Wonder Bread though, it seems to be a rough equivalent of Sunblest for British readers.

 

[porter1974]

Not biased - experienced, a big difference. The opinions of ten people who are happy with S-04 because they've never used anything other than US-05, don't count for much compared to someone who has brewed with dozens of British strains.

Had to look up Wonder Bread though, it seems to be a rough equivalent of Sunblest for British readers.

I have used other White Labs strains and S-04. The yeasts are different. That’s for sure but S-04 isn’t lacking in any respects. It’s just a different flavor profile. I used WLP 013 recently for a milk stout. It was great. Has a nice light oak aroma. For me, I just wanted to try something different after using S 04 and 05 for a lot of beers.

 

[kh54s10]

The opinions of ten people who are happy with S-04 because they've never used anything other than US-05, don't count for much compared to someone who has brewed with dozens of British strains.

So you are saying that none of the (22 now) that like S-04 have brewed with anything but S-04 and US-05???

And there is nothing in either thread that said it was the best. It was stated that a significant portion of homebrewers do not like it. 14.7% (so far) to me is not very significant.

 

[Homergah]

I personally don't like it for homebrew use. I don't care for the flavor profile in bitters, pales, ipa's, apa's, dipa's, or anything without roasted grains, which is 90 percent of what I make at home. I prefer 1968. Of course the flavor I get from 04 is very dependent on my fermentation practises. At the brewery we use it in a very limited fashion. Maybe 1 out of 10 brews.

 

[bierhaus15]

Had to look up Wonder Bread though, it seems to be a rough equivalent of Sunblest for British readers.

Ah, Chorleywood processed bread! Nothing like eating a chip butty made with Tesco white loaf after a late night of drinking...

 

[Still Brewn]

Used properly it is A great yeast. We just killed a keg of whisky barrel stout made with it and are about to tap a keg of honey brown. Both fermented at 67°-68°. No noticeable extra tartness, yeast cleans up after itself nicely and settles out great. What's not to like?