10 month old smack pack, is it any good???

[relicdog]

I am making a starter and I am wondering how long should I wait before signs of fermentation? I bought a bunch of wyeast smack packs for a dollar and they are all swolen up. I was surprised that the nutrient pack was not broken and it still was swollen. Please advise, thanks.

 

[SmokeyMcBong]

I've made starters from WL vials that were well over a year past there best before date. I've waited close to 3 days before seeing any action in the starter but they have all started except for one. Never a problem with the ferment either...

 

[oach]

As smokey said try a starter. No guarantees. The viability of the yeast is less than optimal. I would do a 500ml starter at most. If it takes off, build up from there. If you are making a 5 gallon batch u have to build up twice as you will not have enough yeast for a healthy fermentation form a vial that old.

 

[SmokeyMcBong]

yup, should have mentioned that I step the starter up at least once. Twice if it took 3 days to start...

 

[relicdog]

How long should i wait after smacking the wyeast to pitch it into the starter?