Safale S-04 at low Temps???

[wilserbrewer]

Pitched Safale S-04 24 hours ago at about 60-62 and things look inactive. Added some hot water to the swamp cooler to hopefully bring it uo a couple of degrees. Am I too cold for this yeast or should I RDWHAHB!

Thanks...first time w/ this yeast. Anyone have any experience w/ S-04 at the low end like this???

Mike

 

[Beertk]

Yeah, I am using it now. It should be fine at that temp. The 50s should be a bit more of a challange. You will reduce more of the fruitiness at the lower temps. I have mine in the basement right now and it is in the low sixties as well. Did you oxygenate it? I suspect it is over 1.050 and you did not give it the o2? That will increase the lag time. With 02 it should go off like a rocket. It is an aggressive eater

 

[mrfocus]

Fermentis (Safale producer's) has the low temperature range of the S-04 yeast at 59F (15C). Once it takes off you could probably go a bit lower (metabolic activity of the yeast will heat up the wort a bit), maybe 2F lower.

 

[cowgo]

The knock on this yeast is the bubblegum flavor. Probably more pronounced at the higher temps, but I've never noticed. My Ale fermentations are usually arond 72 degrees or so...soo...RDWHAHB.

 

[BobG]

I just finished a Black Ale with S-04 fermented at 62 and it rocked all the way through. Relax.


Cheers,
Bob