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BREWING.IT/ yeast

SafAle S-04

Dry Ale yeast from Fermentis.

LabFermentis· Ale · Dry · S-04

Specs

Attenuation
74–82%
The share of sugars the yeast ferments out. Higher attenuation means a drier, stronger beer.
Optimal temp
12–25°C
54–77°F
The range where this strain ferments cleanly, without throwing off-flavors. Most brewers pitch near the low end.
Flocculation
High
How readily the yeast clumps together and drops clear once fermentation winds down.
Alcohol tolerance
≈11% ABV
The rough ABV ceiling where the yeast stresses out and stops fermenting.

Genetic traits

Phenolics
POF−
Ferments clean
Phenolically clean (POF-negative). No clove or spice, so malt, esters, and hops come through unmasked. The norm for American and British ales and most lagers.
Diastatic
STA-1−
Not diastatic
Does not carry the STA1 (diastaticus) gene. It attenuates normally, with no diastaticus over-attenuation or gushing risk.

Same strain, other labs

Whitbread (S-04)
S-04 = M36 = 1026-PC

Potential substitutes for SafAle S-04

Usually used in

Pale AlesExtra Special Bitters & Golden Ales

Standard for these styles

Styles where SafAle S-04 is a standard pick — from the corpus, not the guidelines.

Common questions

What is the SafAle S-04 equivalent?
M36 Liberty Bell Ale Yeast and 1026-PC British Cask Ale — the same strain from other labs, the Whitbread (S-04) strain.
What is SafAle S-04's attenuation?
74–82% apparent attenuation.
What temperature should I ferment SafAle S-04 at?
12–25°C is the recommended range.
What beer styles is SafAle S-04 good for?
Pale Ales and Extra Special Bitters & Golden Ales.
What can I substitute for SafAle S-04?
WLP002 English Ale Yeast (similar temperature range), English Ale I (similar temperature range), and 1968 London ESB Ale (similar temperature range).
Brew with SafAle S-04
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