In my experience as a brewer, the fermentation process with Safale US-05 yeast typically takes around 2 days to get going. This means that you will start to see signs of fermentation, such as bubbling in the airlock or krausen forming on the surface of the beer, within this time frame.
Once fermentation is active, it usually continues for about 3 to 5 days before it starts to slow down. During this period, you may notice vigorous bubbling in the airlock and a thick layer of foam on top of the beer. This is a good indication that the yeast is actively converting the sugars into alcohol and carbon dioxide.
After the initial activity subsides, the fermentation process starts to wind down. The yeast will continue to work, but at a slower pace. This is when you can start checking the gravity of your beer to monitor its progress. Typically, the final gravity (FG) for a beer fermented with US-05 yeast is around 1.010 to 1.012.
It’s important to note that these time frames can vary depending on various factors such as the temperature of fermentation, the original gravity of the beer, and the health of the yeast. Higher temperatures can accelerate fermentation, while lower temperatures can slow it down. Additionally, higher gravity beers may take longer to ferment compared to lower gravity beers.
Personal experiences may also influence the fermentation length. For example, I have found that when fermenting a lower gravity beer at a slightly higher temperature (around 68-70°F), US-05 yeast can finish fermentation within 3 days. On the other hand, when fermenting a higher gravity beer at a lower temperature (around 62-65°F), it may take closer to 5 days for fermentation to complete.
To summarize, the fermentation length for Safale US-05 yeast can typically range from 2 days to start, with active fermentation continuing for 3 to 5 days, and a final gravity around 1.010 to 1.012. However, it’s important to consider factors such as temperature, original gravity, and yeast health, as these can influence the duration of fermentation.