Brewbaker

Recipes 

I'm going to be brewing up a Red Hook clone this afternoon and just noticed that my White Labs CA pale ale yeast has a "best by" date of November 2006. I figured I'd pitch it anyways and give it a day or two to see if it takes off. If not, get fresh yeast and re-pitch. But now the internal peanut gallery is going bananas and I'm wondering if old or expired yeast will give the beer any off flavors, or worse, ruin it???

Thanks for your input.

cweston

Recipes 

I'm sure it's fine.

One advantage of the Wyeast smack packs is that you know the yeast is good because the bag puffs up. Of course, if you make a starter, that also assures you that the yeasties are viable.

But RDWHAHB.

__________________

Primary: none
Secondary:
Bottle conditioning: Robust Porter
Drinking: Saison Dupont clone, tripel
Coming soon: Columbus APA, Rich Red ale

Cap'n Jewbeard

Recipes 

Yeah, my thought is, if you don't mind a small wait, put together a quick starter- if it takes off, you're golden; if it doesn't, you don't have crap in your brew.

__________________
Lion's Den Brewing

Primary: Spiced Mead
On Deck: Aldebaran Scotch Pumpkin
Drinking: Starburn Spiced Amber
Drinking: Regulus Rye/Wheat with a bite

Blender

Recipes 

You might want to make sure that it is good before brewing. If you cannot wait then give it a shot and get some US-56 for these uncertain situations. Good Luck ....I like Redhook ESB. Is that what you are trying for?

__________________
Gary

Brewbaker

Recipes 

Yes, its a Red Hook ESB clone and I am extremely looking forward to it!!!

To clarify though, the yeast is not a smack pack, it's one of the WL liquid tubes. As long as old yeast doesn't give off flavors I can manage to extend my patience a few days...

TheJadedDog

Recipes 

Just make up a starter and you should be fine.

__________________
And now we go AG!

On Tap: Nadda
Primary: Nadda
Planning: Extra Special Bitter

knipknup

Recipes 

Man I LOVE Red Hook ESB!

__________________
Every pirate lives for something different. For some, it's the open sea. For others (the masochists), it's the food. For you, it's definitely the fighting. Two things complete your pirate persona: style and swagger. Maybe a little too much swagger sometimes -- but who really cares? Arr!

Torchiest

Recipes 

I used a White Labs Trappist Ale that was about three weeks past the best by date when I pitched it, and it had a massive, out of control fermentation. I did make a starter. You're more than likely fine, if it's been kept refrigerated the entire time.

__________________
WORLD DOMINATION BEER
Bottled:
#35 Gold Standard Ale
#42 The Answer
Kegged:
#44 Donner & Blitzkrieg 2011
#45 Black Helicopter Porter