What will S-04 tolerate?

[SteveHeff]

I'm thinking of brewing a lager recipe with a twist. I am unable to lager at the moment, however I do have access to a swamp cooler. I wanted to know if people have ever utilized an ale yeast with this type of recipe? More specifically, how S-04 reacts when dealing with low 60s, or even 60 itself? I realize it's unconventional but I enjoy that about the whole brewing process. The ability to create something interesting by utilizing different yeast strains. I know in the end I will still have beer. Anything I should be cautious of? Thanks.

 

[Thunder_Chicken]

Kolsch and altbiers are brewed in this manner, using top-fermenting ale yeasts fermented cold and lagering. Fermentis states a temperature range of 59-75F for S-04, so you should be fine. Go as cold as you can and you'll make a nice clean beer with low esters.
If you get too cold the ferment will simply stop - if you check gravity and it stalls just warm it up a little and it should pick up. Note that your ferment will likely be slower (several weeks). This is not an unusual method to produce lager-like ales.

 

[brooksy]

This is my go-to dry yeast, I have used it in probably over a dozen brews. Its been down to 58* with little problems, though it does seem to stall (mainly just drop out) if you drop the temp during primary. It never really tastes very clean no matter how low it goes, it just has that nice dark fruity character that's part of the reason I like it so much.

 

[AT-JeffT]

I've also been down to 58 with no issues. I have found that >73 gives fusel alcohols and very poor flavors.

 

[BigFloyd]

I normally start S-04 around 63*F and then raise it up after a week to finish and clean up around 67*F. It turns out nice for English ale/bitter and stout.

If you're looking for a more clean ("lager-like") ale ferment by using lower temps, Nottingham is the way to go. It's happy as low as 55*F.

It is advisable to, if you want to ferment lower, pitch a few degrees colder than the starting ferment temp and then let it come up. Avoid pitching warm and then trying to get it down.