Fermentis SH-45 Yeast (11.5g)

Description

SafLager SH-45 is a next-generation Fermentis lager yeast engineered to maximise hop thiol release in your finished beer. Where traditional lager strains produce neutral, restrained fermentation character, SH-45 actively enhances the citrus and tropical fruit notes already present in your hops — making it the ideal strain for modern hop-forward lagers like a New Zealand Pilsner, Hoppy Helles, or craft lager with vivid hop aroma. Available in Australia at Yeast Platform.

Brewing Notes

SH-45’s thiol-releasing ability comes from elevated ester and enzyme activity compared to neutral lager strains. Pair it with sulfur-precursor-rich hops — Nelson Sauvin, Galaxy, Riwaka, Mosaic — for maximum tropical thiol amplification. Because SH-45 has higher ester production than W-34/70 or S-189, it’s not the right choice for a traditional neutral Pilsner. For any hop-forward lager where expressive aroma is the goal, it genuinely delivers a character that neutral strains cannot.

Beer Styles & Brewing Tips

SH-45 represents the new wave of specialist lager yeasts — built to amplify modern hop character in a cold fermentation process. It’s the ideal partner for the growing Australian craft lager movement.

Best styles: NZ Pilsner (tropical hop aroma is amplified by SH-45’s thiol-releasing enzymes — use Nelson Sauvin, Riwaka, or Wai-iti for a standout result), Hoppy Helles (juicy, sun-kissed, and modern — a contemporary take on the Bavarian classic), Tropical Craft Lager (the growing AU/NZ hop-forward lager category where SH-45’s thiol expression genuinely sets it apart).

Australian brewing tips:

• Australian hops are among the world’s richest in thiol precursors — Galaxy, Nelson Sauvin, Riwaka, Enigma, and Eclipse pair with SH-45 for maximum tropical aroma expression.
• Dry hop during active fermentation (days 3–5) for best biotransformation; SH-45 works synergistically with hop thiols during active yeast activity.
• Keep primary fermentation at 12–15°C for the cleanest results; perform a short diacetyl rest at 17°C before crash cooling.
• SH-45 is NOT recommended as a substitute for W-34/70 in traditional neutral Pilsner recipes — its expressive character will alter a classic style.

In the Glass

Citrus, stone fruit, and tropical fruit aromatics that complement rather than compete with your hop additions. Slightly fuller and more expressive than a classic Weihenstephan fermentation. The lager of choice for craft hop showcases.

Buy SafLager SH-45 Australia at Yeast Platform — the thiol-releasing lager yeast. In stock with 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