Preparing for first brew

Hey everyone, this is my first post and preparing for my first brew. Iv'e been reading John Palmer's "how to brew". I bought a kit from brewers best for a Dortmunder style beer. Anyone tried this one? My first concern is that i dont think im really set up to do this as a lager, it does have directions to brew it as an ale, but wonder how much of difference in taste that i will be sacraficing when i brew it as an ale. Second, the kit includes a package of dry lagar yeast "Saflager W-34/70" it appears to have an expiration date on the bottom, "07 2010". It appears to be expired, should i be concerned?

Get a different packet of yeast and ferment as an ale. Maybe something like Nottingham and ferment as low as you can. In the low 60's hopefully....

For the cost of a new packet, get a new one in case your yeast is non-viable.

B

Did you get the kit online or from a local shop? I just did a rauchbier that had the same date on the yeast package. I took the yeast to the shop i bought it from and he gave me fresh new yeast for free.

I think all or almost all BB kits are designed to be ales(top fermented) even their lagers/kolschs/etc.

If you bought this kit with expired yeast, then the entire kit is probably old and needs to be returned, you shouldn't be sold this sort of thing.

yeah, i shot an email to the place i got it from, who knows maybe they'll replace it for free....I didnt see any exp dates on the other stuff but it makes me wonder now. I bought the stuff in San Antonio, i live bout 2.5 hours from there