Fermentis S-23 Yeast x 11g

SafLager S-23 is a bottom-fermenting lager strain from Berlin, Germany — recommended by Fermentis for fruitier and more estery lager styles. Compared to the neutral Weihenstephan strains, S-23 produces beers with slightly more expressive aromatic character: fruity esters and a hop-forward quality that makes it well-suited to hoppy German lagers, Export styles, and Märzen where a touch of complexity enhances the malt backbone. Available in Australia at Yeast Platform.

Brewing Notes

S-23’s fruitier profile is subtle compared to E-30 — “slightly estery for a lager” rather than obviously fruity. Its fast flocculation is a practical advantage: the beer clears readily without extended cold conditioning, and the clean sedimentation supports repitching if you want to maintain a house lager yeast culture. Ferment at 12–15°C for balanced results; ester character increases toward the higher end of the temperature range.

Beer Styles & Brewing Tips

S-23’s slightly expressive character compared to neutral Weihenstephan strains makes it the most hop-friendly lager yeast in the Fermentis range — a trait that suits the growing Australian craft lager market well.

Best styles: German Export Lager (S-23’s slightly elevated ester expression suits the fuller, more complex profile of German Export — slightly richer and more aromatic than a standard Pils), Märzen/Oktoberfest (malt-forward and amber — S-23’s hint of fruity character complements caramel malt notes beautifully), Hoppy German Pilsner (modern hop-forward styles benefit from S-23’s slightly expressive profile over the neutral W-34/70).

Australian brewing tips:

• S-23 is well-suited to hop-forward German lager recipes — pair with modern German varieties like Hallertau Blanc, Huell Melon, or Mandarina Bavaria for a contemporary craft lager character.
• Fast flocculation means clean sedimentation — S-23 is repitchable and stores well, making it a good candidate for a house lager yeast program across multiple batches.
• Target 12–14°C during primary; ester character increases noticeably toward 16–18°C for a more expressive fermentation profile.
• S-23’s residual sulfur is low and reduces further during cold conditioning — a 1–2 week lager at 2°C delivers a clean, polished finish.

In the Glass

Slightly fruity and hop-forward for a lager. Clean malt backbone with low esters by ale standards, but noticeably more aromatic than S-189 or W-34/70. Good palatal length and a refreshing, dry finish from its Berlin lineage.

Buy SafLager S-23 German lager yeast Australia at Yeast Platform. In stock, fast dispatch.

Recommended Hops for This Yeast

Pair with classic noble hops to keep the focus on malt character and a clean, crisp finish.

• Saaz Hops — Czech noble hop — spicy, herbal, the traditional choice for Pilsner and Helles
• East Kent Golding Hops — English noble hop — earthy, floral, perfect for session lagers and Märzen
• Chinook Hops — High-alpha US hop — clean pine bitterness for bittering in American-style lagers
• Cascade Hops — Iconic citrus and floral hop — adds lift to pale lagers without overpowering