Expired Yeast, No Starter

[cuse88]

I wasn’t really planning on Brewing this weekend, but time actually freed up for once. I bought a bunch of Yeast before life got in the way and have two packs multiple Wyeast and White Labs Yeast. All are 4-8 months past use by date.

Could I get away with just pitching both packs and skipping the starter?

Thanks for any help!

 

[MHBT]

I would not risk it..you can try and build the yeast up by making a small 500l 1.020 starter and working from there to a 1.030 starter etc , i would just get new fresh yeast though

 

[imasickboy]

If you're going to be under 1.060 OG, I say go for it. It's not ideal, but it should definitely make beer. Expect a long lag time before visible fermentation.

 

[aprichman]

Can't you just get some fresh yeast at your LHBS? Seems like a waste if you can't; pitching sufficient quantities of fresh, viable yeast is a foundation block of making decent beer. It's arguably as important as having good sanitation practices.

 

[day_trippr]

Batch size? Original Gravity? Style?
And are these "two packs multiple Wyeast and White Labs Yeast" style compatible?

Cheers!

 

[bobeer]

I've used old yeast a bunch of times with no starter. There's a long lag time since the little guys have been sleeping for so long. 5 days or so but I've never had a dead pitch. You can always make a starter just to make sure the yeast is still alive but if you've stored it right it should be fine.

 

[cuse88]

Batch size? Original Gravity? Style?
And are these "two packs multiple Wyeast and White Labs Yeast" style compatible?

Cheers!

5 gallon Batch. OG 1.045 to 1.050.

Was thinking just a kitchen sink batch ha.

I have duplicates of each yeast pack. Cal Ale and Wyeast Helles

 

[JohnSand]

If it's an experiment go ahead.
I would still make a starter, but a quick vitality starter. Make the starter in the morning, pitch when it is at high krausen.