S-04 characteristics

[Blackaddler]

At the moment, I'm fermenting a bitter of OG 1.039 [not something I would brew normally].

Maris Otter 94.23%
Crystal 400 4.49%
Chocolate 0.64%
Tor.Wheat 0.64%

Normally I'd use Nottingham yeast, but sourced some S-04 [mixed with some S-05] from a microbrewery, so have used that. Fermentation temperatures have been between 20.5 - 22°C since Friday night.

Yesterday, the SG was 1.013. With Nottingham, I'd have expected to reach a FG of 1.010 - 1.011 by then. I've left it for another 24hrs, but it's hardly budged.

However, there is still quite a lot of yeast floating on the surface, although there isn't much sign of activity.
Is this normal? I was under the impression that S-04 acted in a similar way to Nottingham, and dropped to the bottom to make a thick sludgy pancake.

Do I just need to be patient for it to ferment out the last few points? At the moment, I have a beer of 3.4% instead of the 3.7% target.

Right now, the temperature is showing 20.4°C. Maybe it needs warming up a little?

[chris_reboot]

the temp sounds ok to me, but looks like there's still work to be done there by the yeast.
I would leave it another 3-4 days at least.

FYI I just brewed a 10 gal batch split into 2 x 5 gal FV's.
one with nottingham, one s-04

the s-04 cleared down quicker, whereas the nottingham was more cloudy.
both went to FG in about 3-4 days, although I should only be kegging tonight (day 13).
FG of nott: 1009
FG of s04: 1010

so it doesn't always follow.
dont forget you said you had a mixed yeast so we dont know how much of that blend was actually s04.
I agree in principle to your expectations otherwise.

the crud on top of the Fv says leave it longer to me anyway.
HTH

[trucker5774]

My current brew with S04 took off like a rocket and dropped to 1016 from 1043 in two days. It has taken another six days to get to 1013!! It normally drops to about 1010 in five days

[Blackaddler]

I pitched the dry mix of S-04/S-05 on Friday night, and the reading was 1.017 on Monday afternoon, which sounds similar.
I hope it doesn't take another 6 days to drop 3 points - the missus wants the kitchen table back!

I'm tempted to stir the head back in to help it drop out of suspension. I'm planning on chilling it to 7°C for 24hrs, once it hits 1.010, anyway.

Maybe a stir will reactivate it, too.

[Womble_Brew]

I pitched the dry mix of S-04/S-05 on Friday night, and the reading was 1.017 on Monday afternoon, which sounds similar.
I hope it doesn't take another 6 days to drop 3 points - the missus wants the kitchen table back!

I'm tempted to stir the head back in to help it drop out of suspension. I'm planning on chilling it to 7°C for 24hrs, once it hits 1.010, anyway.

Maybe a stir will reactivate it, too.

The attenuation of Safale S-04 is 73-75% and it is a bottom fermenting ale yeast so I would skim and discard the top then give a gentle stir with a clean paddle. This worked for me recently on a stuck fermentation with US-05. You will get an initial flurry over the next few hours as disolved carbon dioxide escapes but then a few more days should see some gentle activity and a drop towards FG. You may not get to your expected FG but a few points shouldn't matter. I hope this helps.

[Capped]

I find that Nottingham attenuates highly and at a consistent rate from start to finish,whereas SO4 rips thru the first three quarters then takes it's time to get from there to FG,which never gets as low as the same brew would with Nottingham. BTW,at first glance I thought you were fermenting in the BATH !

[Blackaddler]

As it happens, I've just given the surface a gentle stir, and a about half of the flocculation has dropped away.

I reckon I've got about 65% attenuation so far. Another couple of SG points drop should take it to 70% and give 3.6% abv. That might have to do.

We'll see how it goes tomorrow.

[chris_reboot]

update on earlier post:

just kegged both variations tonight.
FG was actually 1006 for S-04 and 1004 for Nottingham, so I'd say go with Notts for better attenuation.
Personally prefer the flavour profile too, although yet to taste test this identical batch for true side-by-side comparison.

notts FV was clearer too BTW.

[lordnoise]

Don't forget that SO5 is a true top cropper and forms a very hard to sink head in the fermenter. As you've used a blend of 4 and 5 this is probably where your persistant yeast head is coming from.

[Blackaddler]

Don't forget that SO5 is a true top cropper and forms a very hard to sink head in the fermenter. As you've used a blend of 4 and 5 this is probably where your persistant yeast head is coming from.

Ah, that would explain it.

The gentle stir I gave the surface last night seems to have woken it up a little. Today, there are signs of a few bubbles again. I'll wait till tomorrow before checking the SG again.

[KevP]

I noticed I'd bought a dozen sachets of Nottingham when auditing my Hops in the freezer (never even aware I had bought them) Can anyone describe how the taste profile may differ to S04 please?

[Capped]

I noticed I'd bought a dozen sachets of Nottingham when auditing my Hops in the freezer (never even aware I had bought them) Can anyone describe how the taste profile may differ to S04 please?

Briefly,Nottingham gives a very clean flavour which brings hops to the fore. SO4 has a contributory taste of it's own which accentuates maltiness. All IMHO of course. I use Notts for hoppy pale ales and bitters,SO4 for darker,less hoppy brews. Windsor is off in a world of it's own!

[chris_reboot]

agreed, notts seems to suit hop flavour more.
s04 tends to neutralise it and give it that, well, 'yeasty' flavour to me.
good for milds and dark beers though yes, but think it kills off other types.

never tried windsor though, heard it can be a nightmare reaching FG with that one? is that right?

[Capped]

never tried windsor though, heard it can be a nightmare reaching FG with that one? is that right?

I was full of fear and loathing when I first tried Windsor because of all I'd read. Can't remember exactly but the first batch with it went from something like 1050 to 1018 in 2 days and was down to 1012 very soon after. No problems whatsoever - in fact very impressive when compared to anything! Must not keg tho' - it'll never clear properly but mine was bright in the bottle within the week. Weird stuff indeed. Going back to Notts V SO4,if I had to choose between the two for the rest of my days,Notts would win hands down.

[chris_reboot]

yup, notts for me mostly too.
although s-05 is another I've yet to try too.

may try windsor next time I do a 10 gal batch for a side-by-side test.
point noted about bottling - thanks.