Year Old Dry Yeast???

[Brew Engineer]

I wanted to brew this weekend, but forgot to get my yeast in time. But, I found two packets of US-56 dry yeast in my fridge, marked 7-2008.

Dare I use them? Or do I order yeast and brew next weekend? (My local brew shop is an hour away) I've actually never made a starter, either, and don't have any extract to make one. (I'm bad, I'm sorry Jamil...)


Thoughts?

[DannyW]

I'd use em, straight up, no starter, as long as they have been in the fridge the whole time. I don't remember the exact dates on the packs, but I brewed with many-months-old US-5 a couple of months ago and it worked just fine.

[BDawg]

Alternatively, drop them in the boil in your next series of starters -- voila - instant yeast nutrient.

[rhino777]

I'd use em, straight up, no starter, as long as they have been in the fridge the whole time. I don't remember the exact dates on the packs, but I brewed with many-months-old US-5 a couple of months ago and it worked just fine.

+1

[ApresSkiBrewer]

It would make me nervous... but I have year old (plus) dry muntons gold or whatever.... I keep around just for shits and giggles. I don't think I'd brew with it even w/ a starter, so it looks like it's going to be boiled into yeast nutrient the next batch.

[BadRock]

I'd bet you're fine, but you can always proof the yeast just to ease your mind.

http://www.howtobrew.com/section1/chapter6-5.html

[Brew Engineer]

I'd bet you're fine, but you can always proof the yeast just to ease your mind.

http://www.howtobrew.com/section1/chapter6-5.html

Nice link, thanks. I was already planning on proofing it first, plus I have two 11.5 gram packs, I guess I'm hoping between all that, I have enough viable yeast cells.

I think I'm going to let it dangle in the wind, and use the dry yeast to break in my new All Grain system. I'll post pics of my first all grain brew session on my "not quite a sculpture".

[tavish2]

Alternatively, drop them in the boil in your next series of starters -- voila - instant yeast nutrient.

Ya know... that is a freaking awesome idea. I know I heard on one of the shows that the german breweries use old yeast in the boil as a nutrient, but i forgot about that. maybe when racking beers set aside some of the dead part of the washed yeast and toss that in your boils? probably couldnt hurt huh?