Floral, gently fruity and never shouty. K-97 is a German ale yeast built for delicate beers like Kölsch — and it throws up a big, firm head while it works.
Attenuation 80–84 % · 18–26 °C · Slow sedimentation · Medium esters · 50–80 g/hl · 11.5 g sachet
What it does in your beer
K-97 has a subtle fermentation character: depending on conditions, it leans floral with a balanced fruitiness. Apparent attenuation is 80–84 %, with medium esters and medium higher alcohols.
Fermentis recommends it for German Kölsch, Belgian witbiers and some session beers. It also suits heavily hopped beers and forms a large, firm head during fermentation.
At a glance
| Manufacturer | Fermentis |
| Strain / type | German ale yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) |
| Form | Active dry yeast |
| Pack size | 11.5 g sachet |
| Apparent attenuation | 80–84 % |
| Sedimentation | Slow |
| Fermentation temperature | 18–26 °C (ideal range) |
| Alcohol tolerance | 9–11 % |
| Esters / higher alcohols | Medium / medium |
| Dosage | 50–80 g/hl |
| Rehydration | Optional — direct pitch or rehydrate |
How much for a 20 L batch
Fermentis recommends 50–80 g/hl. For 20 L (0.2 hl) that's 10–16 g, i.e. 1–2 sachets of 11.5 g (approx.).
A single 11.5 g sachet lands inside that range; the top of the range takes a second one.
How to use
- Direct pitch: with the wort at or above fermentation temperature, sprinkle the yeast over the surface a little at a time so it doesn't clump.
- Or rehydrate in at least 10× its weight of sterile water or boiled, hopped wort at 25–29 °C (115 ml or more per sachet), rest 15–30 minutes, stir gently and pitch.
- Ferment at 18–26 °C.
- Leave headspace in the fermenter: K-97 builds a large, firm head.
Pairs well with
Brewing a Kölsch? Try it with our floor-malted Czech Pilsner malt, a small share of BESTMALZ BEST Wheat and Saaz for a soft, noble bitterness.
Storage & shelf life
- Keep it cool and dry. Fermentis allows storage below 24 °C for up to 6 months and recommends below 15 °C beyond that — the fridge covers both.
- Shelf life: 36 months from the production date.
- Opened sachet: seal it, store at 4 °C and use within 7 days.
Food information
- Name: Active dry brewing yeast, SafAle™ K-97
- Ingredients: yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), emulsifier: sorbitan monostearate (E491)
- Allergens: none of the listed ingredients is an EU 1169/2011 allergen. Fermentis produces its yeast using glucose syrup derived from wheat, which is permanently exempt from allergen labelling in the EU; gluten in the finished product is below 20 mg/kg
- Net quantity: 11.5 g
- Storage: cool and dry; below 15 °C for storage beyond 6 months
Good to know
- 11.5 g sachet — one sits inside the Fermentis dose for a 20 L batch.
- Check the best-before on the sachet; shelf life is 36 months from production.
- It ships from our partner warehouse in the Czech Republic, not with our equipment, so it may turn up on a different day.
FAQ
What beers is K-97 for?
Fermentis recommends it for German Kölsch, Belgian witbiers and some session beers, and says it suits heavily hopped beers too.
Do I need to rehydrate K-97?
No. Fermentis allows direct pitching onto the wort; rehydration at 25–29 °C for 15–30 minutes is optional.
How many K-97 sachets for 20 L?
One or two. 50–80 g/hl is 10–16 g for 20 L, and one 11.5 g sachet falls within that.
Is K-97 gluten-free?
Fermentis says its yeast is produced using glucose syrup derived from wheat, but gluten in the finished product is below 20 mg/kg, so it can be considered gluten-free. In the EU, that wheat-based glucose syrup is exempt from allergen labelling.