Fermentis SafAle S-04 English Ale Yeast 11g

S-04 is the go-to English ale yeast for brewers who want malt character, full body, and a beer that clears fast without fining. Its very high flocculation drops the yeast out of suspension quickly, leaving a firm sediment and a bright, malt-forward beer with residual sweetness intact.

Best Suited To

• English Bitter, Extra Special Bitter (ESB), English Pale Ale
• Porter, Stout, Brown Ale, Mild
• Any British ale where malt character and quick clarification matter

Specs

• Fermentation temp: 15–22°C (optimal 18–20°C)
• Attenuation: 73–77%
• Flocculation: Very High
• Alcohol tolerance: Up to 11.5% ABV
• Pitching rate: 50–80g per 100L (1 sachet per 23L)

When to Choose S-04

Choose S-04 over US-05 when you want a fuller body, faster clarification, and a distinctly British malt character. US-05 ferments drier and is more neutral — right for American styles. S-04 leaves residual sweetness and clears fast, which is exactly what bitter, porter, and stout need.

Choose S-04 over M15 when you want a slightly cleaner, more restrained ester profile with the same malt backbone. M15 is more expressive and fruity; S-04 is more controlled.

Practical Notes

Pitch directly onto wort at fermentation temperature, or rehydrate in 10x its weight in 27°C water for 15 minutes. Direct pitching works well at standard gravity (under 1.060).

S-04's very high flocculation can cause it to drop out before full attenuation if you cold-crash too early. Wait for a stable gravity reading over two consecutive days before crashing.

Ferment at 15–18°C for a cleaner, more restrained result. Higher temperatures push ester character.

Keep refrigerated. Once opened, reseal and use within 7 days.

Reviewed by the AHB Brewing Team — June 2026.