Safale S-04 Porter

[Vendrixfly]

Brewed a Baltic Molasses Smoked Porter last Friday evening, first time using this yeast and I made a small starter even though I understand now that it's not necessary. Well, the OG was 1.081 and I pitched at exactly 70*F and it took off within four hours. By the next morning there were bubbles at 3/sec, the fastest and most active start I've seen in all my batches! The ambient was around 70* with the sticker showing 73* inside the fermenter. I wanted to lower it a bit so I moved it down into the cellar (ambient 60*) in a bucket of cool water for a day. Checked on it after 24 hours and fermentation had slowed to a reasonable pace, showed 61* inside, took it out of the bucket to stabilize in the 60* cellar and it's in the low 60's at the moment. I was curious, so I took a SG reading today (3 days later) and it has dropped to 1.031-- 50 points! Wow! Krausen had risen and almost completely dropped back, with just a thin film of milk-chocolate froth on top...smelled fantastic.

My question is: I want to get the most attenuation out of this yeast as possible. My goal is a 8% Porter, so FG around 1.020. At the speed this is going, when should I bring the fermenter up to the apartment in a higher ambient for finishing, or do I need to do that at all? Did making a starter with dry yeast hurt my chances of attenuating down that low in the first place? I usually leave my brews in primary for at least 3 weeks to let the yeast clean up but was planning on leaving this one closer to a month since it's more complex and higher gravity. Thanks for any thoughts ya might have on this.

 

[wailingguitar]

temp is perfect for that yeast, leave it be, beer will be good... RDWHAHB

 

[hamiltont]

S-04 is a really fast fermenter. I'd move it to a warmer environment now and let it sit for 2-3 weeks. Cheers!!!

 

[Vendrixfly]

Thanks for the quick replies gentlemen! But which one? Shall I flip a coin?? Ha!

 

[hamiltont]

I've use a lot of S-04 and it likes a warmer environment to finish up. YMMV... Cheers!!!

 

[BigB]

I'd move it to a warmer environment too. A warmer temp will help it fully attenuate and at this stage the risk of off flavors is very low.

 

[bottlebomber]

What you have is fine, but don't be surprised if it doesn't quite finish as low as you want. US-04 doesn't attenuate quite as much as 05, but it is perfect for a porter. Just an FYI, a Baltic porter is a lagered beer, so this isn't actually that, but I'm sure it will be excellent.

 

[Vendrixfly]

Awesome. I'll do that today, thanks. Now...to bottle or keg...

 

[Vendrixfly]

What you have is fine, but don't be surprised if it doesn't quite finish as low as you want. US-04 doesn't attenuate quite as much as 05, but it is perfect for a porter. Just an FYI, a Baltic porter is a lagered beer, so this isn't actually that, but I'm sure it will be excellent.

The things ya learn I'll start calling it Imperial till I taste it, then I'm sure a house name will come to me. My last IIPA was at first taste was promptly donned "Hornytooth IPA".. Don't ask

 

[wyzazz]

I use S-04 almost exclusively as a house yeast, warm it up because when it floc's out it drops like a ton of bricks! I chill down to 62F, ferment at 64F for 5-7 days, then begin ramping up the temps 2F every day until I hit 76F. I leave that for 5-7 days then cold crash.

 

[wailingguitar]

Having used SO4 in a commercial setting for years, I never let it get above 70F

 

[hamiltont]

Having used SO4 in a commercial setting for years, I never let it get above 70F

I agree with that. I generally let it go into the upper 60's after 3-4 days @ 62-64F, and it will flirt with 80% attenuation. Cheers!!!!

 

[bottlebomber]

it will flirt with 80% attenuation.

It may flirt with it, but it sure wont get it in the sack

 

[pernox]

I like my S-04 at 64* - I bring it up to a warmer temp (not much warmer - 68*) and give the fermentation vessel a good swirl/shake when I'm a couple points away from my anticipated final gravity. It's a quick worker, and seems to build temperature fast - it's worth the extra effort to keep an eye on it and keep it below 70* in my experience. As stated, it will drop clear like a ton of bricks when it's done.

I've used it in stout, porter, ESB, brown, American pale, and barleywine style ales with great success. The only thing I didn't enjoy it in was an IPA - I find that I prefer a greater attenuation than the S-04 provides.

 

[Yooper]

I use S04 often, at 62-64 degrees. It gets estery above that.

It ferments well down to 60 degrees, for sure. Maybe lower, but I've never gone below 60 degrees with it!

 

[Vendrixfly]

Showing 68* now that it's up in a 70* ambient, airlock is bubbling once/4seconds. Still can't believe these yeasties work so fast...Hoping letting it get up to 73* for the first day of crazy fermentation won't leave me with estery beer that the qualities of Porter won't mask.

Thanks again for the feedback. I will definitely be using S-04 again and take into consideration the temperature preferences. Working on my first BIAB IPA that I'll be pitching Safale S-05 into!

 

[pernox]

Showing 68* now that it's up in a 70* ambient, airlock is bubbling once/4seconds. Still can't believe these yeasties work so fast...Hoping letting it get up to 73* for the first day of crazy fermentation won't leave me with estery beer that the qualities of Porter won't mask.

Thanks again for the feedback. I will definitely be using S-04 again and take into consideration the temperature preferences. Working on my first BIAB IPA that I'll be pitching Safale S-05 into!

Treat the US-05 the same way - it likes low to mid 60's and will be extraordinarily clean in that range. It clears a little slower though; cold crashing helps if you're on a short timeline.

If your porter has too much fruitiness, letting it age out a while helps IMO. It won't solve the issue completely, but a month or two of cool storage will help.