Thiol-Releasing Lager Yeast for Cold IPA, IPL and New Zealand Pilsner
Unlock brighter tropical and citrus hop character while retaining the clean, crisp finish of a lager with Fermentis SafLager SH-45 Dry Lager Yeast.
SafLager SH-45 is a specialised Saccharomyces pastorianus lager strain selected for its ability to release and esterify hop-derived thiols during fermentation. These highly aromatic compounds can enhance tropical fruit, citrus and fresh hop expression, making SH-45 especially well suited to modern hop-forward lagers.
Unlike a traditional neutral lager yeast that largely stays out of the way, SH-45 actively helps express aromatic potential from the hops while maintaining the clean fermentation profile and crisp drinkability expected from lager beer.
It is an excellent choice for:
- Cold IPA
- India Pale Lager
- New Zealand Pilsner
- West Coast Pilsner
- American Lager
- Modern hoppy lager
- Dry-hopped Pilsner
SafLager SH-45 is supplied in a convenient 11.5g active dry yeast sachet and can be pitched directly into wort using Fermentis’ E2U process.
Why choose SafLager SH-45?
- Specialised lager yeast for hop-forward beer
- Releases and esterifies hop-derived thiols
- Enhances tropical fruit and citrus aromas
- Helps increase hop expression without sacrificing lager crispness
- Ideal for Cold IPA, IPL and New Zealand Pilsner
- Medium flocculation and sedimentation
- Apparent attenuation of approximately 77–82%
- Active dry yeast with no starter normally required
- Suitable for direct pitching
- New-generation Fermentis lager strain
What makes SH-45 different?
Many traditional lager strains are selected for neutral fermentation character. That works well for classic styles, but it can leave heavily hopped lagers tasting less expressive than intended.
SafLager SH-45 was selected specifically to help brewers reveal aromatic compounds already present in the hops. During fermentation, the yeast can transform bound thiol precursors into highly aromatic compounds associated with tropical fruit and citrus character.
The result is a lager that can offer:
- Greater tropical fruit intensity
- Brighter citrus aroma
- More expressive modern hop character
- A clean and crisp lager finish
- Improved integration between fermentation character and hops
This makes SH-45 particularly useful with thiol-rich and modern Southern Hemisphere hop varieties.
Recommended hop pairings
SafLager SH-45 is an excellent match for varieties such as:
- Nelson Sauvin
- Riwaka
- Motueka
- Nectaron
- Kohatu
- Rakau
- Citra
- Mosaic
- Simcoe
- Amarillo
- Cascade
- Krush
- Peacharine
The finished profile still depends on the selected hops, wort composition and fermentation process. SH-45 enhances available aromatic potential; it does not create hop flavour where suitable precursors are absent.
Ideal beer styles
Cold IPA
Ferments with a clean lager profile while helping modern American and New Zealand hops deliver greater citrus and tropical intensity.
India Pale Lager
Provides the crisp attenuation expected from lager yeast while supporting a bold hop aroma.
New Zealand Pilsner
An especially strong fit for Nelson Sauvin, Riwaka, Motueka and other New Zealand hops where bright fruit, citrus and white-wine-like character are desired.
West Coast Pilsner
Suitable for lean, highly drinkable lagers featuring modern American or Southern Hemisphere hopping.
Modern American Lager
Can add extra aromatic interest while retaining a crisp and refreshing finish.
Fermentation profile
| Characteristic | Specification |
|---|---|
| Yeast species | Saccharomyces pastorianus |
| Yeast type | Active dry lager yeast |
| Pack size | 11.5g |
| Apparent attenuation | Approximately 77–82% |
| Flocculation | Medium |
| Sedimentation | Medium |
| Fermentation character | Fruity, citrus and tropical |
| Main feature | Release and esterification of hop thiols |
| Recommended use | Hop-forward lager styles |
| Diastaticus | Negative |
| POF | Negative |
Fermentis testing describes SH-45 as having average fermentation speed and attenuation within its lager range, with effective performance around 14°C and a medium fruity or estery profile.
Recommended fermentation temperature
A useful homebrew range is:
12–18°C
For a balanced hop-forward lager, I would generally start around:
13–14°C
Then allow the beer to rise gradually toward:
16–18°C
as fermentation slows, helping the yeast complete attenuation and clean up fermentation by-products.
The exact temperature should be adjusted to suit the beer:
- 12–14°C: cleaner and more traditionally lager-like
- 14–16°C: balanced fermentation with stronger aromatic expression
- 16–18°C: faster fermentation and potentially greater fruity character
Recommended pitching rate
Fermentis traditionally recommends higher pitching rates for cold lager fermentation than for ale yeast.
For a typical 20–23 litre batch:
- Use two sachets for most standard-strength lagers fermented around 12–14°C.
- Consider three sachets for stronger wort, very cold pitching or batches above approximately 1.060 OG.
- One sachet may be suitable for a smaller batch or warmer fermentation, but it is relatively light for a full-size cold-fermented lager.
For the best results, avoid deliberately underpitching SH-45 to increase fruit character. Healthy pitching and oxygenation will usually produce a cleaner and more reliable beer.
How to use SafLager SH-45
- Prepare and chill the wort to the desired pitching temperature.
- Oxygenate the wort thoroughly.
- Sprinkle the yeast evenly over the wort or rehydrate according to the current packet directions.
- Ferment within the selected temperature range.
- Allow the temperature to rise slightly near the end of fermentation.
- Confirm gravity is stable before cold crashing.
- Lager cold until the desired clarity and flavour profile are achieved.
Fermentis identifies SH-45 as an E2U yeast, meaning it can be added directly to wort without mandatory rehydration.
Border Brewing pro tip
For a hop-forward lager, pitch SH-45 at approximately 13–14°C and hold it there through the strongest part of fermentation. Once the beer is around five gravity points from expected final gravity, allow it to rise gradually to 16–18°C.
For dry hopping, SH-45 can work especially well with a restrained early addition followed by a larger post-fermentation addition. Excessive dry hopping can still introduce hop burn and vegetal character, so more hops do not automatically produce a better result.
SH-45 compared with traditional lager yeast
| Feature | SafLager SH-45 | Traditional neutral lager yeast |
|---|---|---|
| Hop thiol expression | High | Usually limited |
| Fruit character | Tropical and citrus-forward | Low to restrained |
| Best application | Modern hoppy lager | Classic lager styles |
| Hop presentation | Enhanced and integrated | Clean and direct |
| Fermentation profile | Fruity but crisp | Neutral and crisp |
| Ideal styles | Cold IPA, IPL, NZ Pilsner | Helles, Märzen, traditional Pilsner |
Choose SH-45 when the hops need to be a major part of the beer’s aroma and flavour.
Choose a more neutral lager strain when brewing a malt-led Helles, Märzen, Vienna Lager or traditional German Pilsner.
Frequently asked questions
What is SafLager SH-45?
SafLager SH-45 is an active dry lager yeast developed by Fermentis for hop-forward lagers. Its key feature is its ability to release and esterify hop-derived thiols, enhancing tropical and citrus aromas.
Is SH-45 a true lager yeast?
Yes. It is a Saccharomyces pastorianus lager strain designed to retain a clean, crisp lager finish while increasing hop-derived aromatic expression.
What beers is SH-45 best for?
It is especially suited to Cold IPA, India Pale Lager, New Zealand Pilsner, West Coast Pilsner, American Lager and other dry-hopped lagers.
Does SH-45 make beer hazy?
It has medium flocculation, but haze depends on the grain bill, hopping rate, dry-hop timing, cold conditioning and filtration. It is not specifically a hazy-beer yeast.
What does thiol-releasing yeast mean?
Certain hop compounds exist in bound forms that are not highly aromatic. SH-45 can help release and transform some of these compounds during fermentation, increasing tropical and citrus aroma.
Does SH-45 reduce the amount of hops needed?
Fermentis states that its improved aromatic expression may allow brewers to achieve a stronger hop effect from the same quantity of raw materials. However, the result depends heavily on hop selection and process.
How many sachets should I use for 23 litres?
Two 11.5g sachets are a sensible starting point for a standard-strength lager fermented cold. Use more for higher-gravity wort or very cold fermentation.
Can SH-45 be fermented warm?
It can be used toward the warmer end of its recommended range, but higher temperatures may create a fruitier profile. For a clean yet expressive lager, approximately 13–16°C is a good starting range.
Does it need a diacetyl rest?
A temperature rise toward the end of fermentation is recommended for most lager fermentations. Allow the beer to reach around 16–18°C before cold crashing and confirm that final gravity is stable.
Is SH-45 genetically modified?
Fermentis describes the strain as a selected lager yeast. I would avoid adding a non-GMO claim to the sales page unless that wording appears on the current Australian packaging or official Fermentis documentation.
Why buy from Border Brewing?
- Fresh yeast stored and handled carefully
- Fast Australian shipping
- Click & Collect available
- Practical advice for fermentation and recipe design
- Extensive range of hops and brewing ingredients
- Support selecting the correct yeast for your beer
