Activated the Wrong yeast

[husker]

So my roommate activated the wrong yeast Wyeast package.

We are brewing a Irish red ale. the recipe called for American Ale Yeast II and he activated 1945 NB Neobritannia.

We are just starting the boil. Should we activate the right yeast and wait roughly an hour before we boil to give it time to activate? Or should we just pitch the American Ale Yeast II?

 

[Yooper]

It doesn't need to swell, according to the Wyeast website. So stick the wrong one in the fridge, and pull out the correct one. You can activate it, but it may or may not be swollen when it's time to pitch.

I always make a starter with liquid yeast, but even without a starter you should be ok if the the yeast is fresh.

 

[husker]

Great!

How long will the wrong activated yeast be good for?

Thanks!

 

[Yooper]

Great!

How long will the wrong activated yeast be good for?

Thanks!

"Activated" yeast is good as long as "unactivated" yeast. The activator is simply a little packet of nutrients. The older the yeast, the less viable it is. The fresher it is, the more viable yeast in it.