Dry Lutra discoloration

[shavy]

Just curious if anyone has experienced this . . . I bought a packet of dry Lutra (expiration date of 7/2025) in August of 2024. I recently bought another packet of dry Lutra (expiration date of 5/2026). I brewed up an IPA and I pitched both packets of the dry Lutra. The older yeast is much darker than the newer yeast (see picture). It’s already mixed in and the fermenting started a few hours later. OG is 1.071. Any thoughts on why there is discoloration? Both packets were well, vacuum sealed.

 

[lumpher]

Dark yeast indicates it's dead or dying. If you hadn't already pitched it I'd advise tossing it, or at least proofing it first (but I would toss it). Since it's already pitched, it's too late, so I'd just ride it out.

 

[DuncB]

When I dried some opshaug Kveik post ferment that was quite dark. Certainly darker than at pitch. It still works fine 3 years in the freezer just take some out and lob it in the fermenter.

 

[BrewerofBeers]

If it's dead it wouldn't be harmful, but that would be pretty unlikely given it was sealed. Looks dead though.

 

[BrewnWKopperKat]

A similar question comes up occasionally for other brands and strains.

• https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/bad-yeast/32007
• https://www.homebrewtalk.com/threads/lallemand-bry-97-trouble.698926/
• ...

 

[shavy]

A similar question comes up occasionally for other brands and strains.

• https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/bad-yeast/32007
• https://www.homebrewtalk.com/threads/lallemand-bry-97-trouble.698926/
• ...

Thanks for the links. I feel better about my br

A similar question comes up occasionally for other brands and strains.

• https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/bad-yeast/32007
• https://www.homebrewtalk.com/threads/lallemand-bry-97-trouble.698926/
• ...

Thanks for the links. I feel better about my batch now. I’ll find out in a few weeks though.

 

[hottpeper13]

If it's dead it's just nutrient!

 

[Miraculix]

Kveik is the most unproblematic yeast type regarding pitch rate out there. Even if only five percent would be left in there alive, it would ferment out fine.

I've fermented a full 20l batch with nothing more than a teaspoon of yeast slurry. I'm not kidding. It was done in three days.

 

[Miraculix]

Thanks for the links. I feel better about my br

Thanks for the links. I feel better about my batch now. I’ll find out in a few days though.

Ftfy!

 

[shavy]

FYI . . . I wrote to Omega about the discoloration and here is there response:

“That older batch was noted as being darker than usual by our co-manufacturer at the time it was packaged but it was completely in spec in terms of quality and performance. Long story short - definitely a difference in color but works just as well.”