Perplexed. S-04, rehydrated and viable, yet no fermentation

[ale_man]

I confess, I am perplexed. I brewed a milk Stout on Monday. Rehydrated two packs of S-04 at temp shown by Fermentis/Safale on their site. Water was boiled then cooled to rehydration temp. Both were well within expiration date by years. I saw vibrate foam and cream build up. Pitched yeast into wort at 65.4 F with temp control to 68. And a low temp heat setting at 63, where heat would keep from going too low in basement. I allow it to rise to 68F as is my usual experience. It was Aerated with oxygen through a freshly boiled airstone. Temp is up to 68F, yet no activity, no krausen. This yeast is usually a monster, quick to start, fast and vigorous in fermentation and drops like a rock when done. I am perplexed. I will probably re-pitch tomorrow if nothing happens overnight ..

 

[RM-MN]

Use your hydrometer before you do anything more.

 

[ale_man]

Thanks. Boy do I feel like an idiot. Its about 3/4 of its way towards expected FG. WHY no krausen?. I check 3 times a day and never saw any krausen.

 

[Pkrd]

WHY no krausen?.

Because yeasties are devious bastards who love to annoy you.

 

[HTH1975]

Strange not to get any krausen, especially with Saf-04.

 

[Miraculix]

Strange not to get any krausen, especially with Saf-04.

I also never experienced this with 04, only with lager yeasts. Interesting.

 

[BrewnWKopperKat]

I also never experienced this with 04, only with lager yeasts. Interesting.

With the many small batches I've brewed over the years (with dry ale yeast), I've seen this (no krausen) a couple of times - not often enough to see a pattern (or take more notes to find a pattern).

 

[Qhrumphf]

Is there no ring? Wouldn't surprise me if it had already fallen.

 

[HTH1975]

Saf-04 was the house strain at the first brewery I worked at. It is very much an oddity not to get any krausen.