Yeast Storage

I got a tube of White Labs American Hefeweizen Ale 320 for a Dunkleweizen. In the hustle and bustle of things, I forgot to put it in the refrigerator for storage after buying it. It's been sitting in a box in about 64 degree temperature for 15 days.

Think it's still okay or is it ruined?

Make a starter... that is about the only way to know for sure.

If you think about it, people repitch yeast all the time that has sat longer than that, and warmer than that, harvested from the bottom of their carboy after fermenting a beer.

By allowing it to warm for two weeks it probably has aged a good bit faster, and used up a lot of its yeastie reserves, but it may be usable with the confirmation of a starter.

You've just got to decide if it is worth the $, hassle of replacing it, and the risk of a bad batch.

If it were me, I'd make a starter with it. If it acted and smelled normal, I'd pitch it.