Freshness date on yeast

[Painter]

I just bought a pack of Wyeast and noticed that the date on it is April 2013, so seven months have passed since packaging. Should I try it or just take it back to my local store?

 

[Hello]

Well, from the Wyeast site:

Longer Shelf Life
The Activator™ package was designed with superior UV light- and oxygen-barrier material to extend shelf life, making our 6 month from manufacture date Product Warranty possible. Yeast slowly depletes energy reserves while in storage. The nutrient pouch inside the Activator™ helps the stored yeast recover from dormancy and restores vitality.

I would call the store and ask them if they have anything fresher. Not too sure what stores do when their yeast hits that mark of expiration (basically). I hope some of the seasoned people weigh in on this though. I too am curious. I would be asking about starters and almost hope I didn't have to buy more yeast to ensure what I had from April was viable since I wasn't the one sitting on it.

That said, you could make a starter or in my case, I would likely pitch a little more. That may be the wrong way of thinking though.

 

[BansheeRider]

I just bought a pack of Wyeast and noticed that the date on it is April 2013, so seven months have passed since packaging. Should I try it or just take it back to my local store?

If you are able to make a large enough yeast starter then you can use it. If not then I would return it and get some dry yeast if the store doesn't have any fresh liquid yeast.

 

[midfielder5]

There is only a very small amount (if any) of viable yeast in a 7 month old liquid yeast package.
check mrmalty.com

I would not use it, and if they charged you full price they should be ashamed. Expired yeast should be at least half-off.

You need to make a starter for liquid yeasts anyways, but you want to start with fresher yeast or build it up a few times as someone else mentioned.

 

[midfielder5]

and next time check the dates on all yeast before purchase.

 

[Painter]

I ended up taking it back to the store where I bought it. They were willing to exchange it for a fresher package, but insisted that it was still quite viable, and said they didn't mind taking it back because somebody else would buy and use it.

Happy to have the no-hassle exchange, but not sure how I feel about the other part.

 

[midfielder5]

Homebrew stores notoriously give outright bad, misguided and/or outdated advice. It depends on the employee and the shop of course. I just nod my head and don't argue with them.

 

[Painter]

Homebrew stores notoriously give outright bad, misguided and/or outdated advice. It depends on the employee and the shop of course. I just nod my head and don't argue with them.

It was one of the owners.

 

[midfielder5]

It was one of the owners.

They can still not be up to date on things. Keep going there if you want, as it does not matter to me one bit.

The yeast probably would eventually make beer; but after 3-5 days with no noticeable
activity you would be quite upset.

 

[shawnbou]

According to yeastcalc.com, a Wyeast pack from April has 17% viability as of today. Sure it would have fermented eventually, but no telling what stress off flavors you would have gotten (or potential infection).

Yes you should be making a starter anyway, but the bottom line is they sold you an expired food product. You were right to exchange it.