Expected lifespan of fridge bank yeast

[Mermaid]

Apologies if this is covered in another thread, but can someone give me an idea of the expected viability of fridge bank yeast?

I have 1 jar left of washed Wyeast 3864 put into the fridge about a year ago.

I brewed with this yeast (from the fridge bank) back in October, and it was quite viable, but I'm not sure about now.

Should I just see if I can grow a starter with it and pick up some standby yeast "just in case"? Going to the LHBS on Sunday.

I'm hoping to brew a Belgian wit early next week.

 

[smagee]

I've dug washed yeast out of the fridge after over a year and had it still viable. Just make a starter with it and I'd almost guarantee you'll be fine. You may want to pick up the contingency yeast if the LHBS is highly inconvenient to get to, but I'm betting the fridge yeast will take off just fine (albeit perhaps a bit slowly).