HELP! Yeast Woes

[captaineriv]

I've had a smack pack of Wyeast yeast in a drawer in my fridge for the last couple days. I opened the drawer just by chance to find that the pack was slightly swollen. Come to find out, about 3 hours ago, my dad was apparently getting something out of the fridge and the thing got jammed in or behind the drawer (I didn't ask...). I was going to activate it Saturday morning, make a starter Saturday evening and pitch it Sunday evening. I have NO time whatsoever to brew the beer before then. Is this pack salvagable, and if so, how should I go about doing what I need with it from here on out?

captaineriv

 

[captaineriv]

By the way, only the inner pack is broken. The outside is fine. Everything's just sloshing around inside. I just stuck in back in the fridge until I got everyone's advice.

captaineriv

 

[david_42]

That's exactly what I'd have advised you to do. The yeast will grow slowly, but until they warm up, they won't do much.

 

[Baron von BeeGee]

It'll be okay, I suspect. I would let it swell at room temp, make a starter, and pitch it Sunday just like you planned. It's only the difference between pitching at krausen and pitching after fermentation, and people debate the merits of both methods.

 

[captaineriv]

On Saturday, should I take it out of the fridge and let sit for 6-8 hours as if I were activating it or proceed straight to making the starter? Right now, the bag is just slightly swollen because it has been under refrigeration ever since it was smacked, brutalized, mamed, or what have you.

captaineriv

 

[captaineriv]

Thanks David_42 and BeeGee. BeeGee, I was typing that last question before I saw your response.

captaineriv

 

[homebrewer_99]

Since it's been in the relative cold I am certain it's gone dormant again.

Just do as you normally would...let it swell a day or so beforehand then make a starter with it.

 

[captaineriv]

That's what I was leaning toward simply because I have exams tomorrow and couldn't even scrounge the time at this hour to make a starter and do it right. I figured it'd probably be fine for at least a couple more days in its current state. My dad felt bad about it so I didn't want to give him a hard time or make him think anything was ruined. But worst case scenario, if I end up with a bunch of retarded yeast that doesn't do what they're supposed to when it comes time to make the starter, and I have to order a new yeast packet that will arrive next week, how long will my crushed grain stay good for if I keep it cool and dry? I've already had it for a week or so. If it will last another 10 days or so until next weekend, I'll be straight.

captaineriv

 

[ScottT]

No problem on the grain storeage. I'll be fine if kept dry. The yeast should start up no problem when you warm it up. Go ahead and make a starter with it though. You'll know for sure before you start brewing.

 

[david_42]

Crushed grain kept cool and dry is good for about a month.

 

[captaineriv]

Thanks to all who replied. I've never had experience with these smack packs before so I was starting to panic. If the pack doesn't swell and/or the starter doesn't ferment, I'll just order another pack and try again next weekend.

captaineriv

 

[captaineriv]

If anyone's still watching this post, I just wanted to let everyone who shared advice know that everything turned out fine and the airlock on the 5-gallon batch is happily bubbling away after just 4 hours of sealing the primary. Guess it doesn't get much better than that. With that being the case, maybe I should get someone to prematurely break the inner pouch more often

captaineriv

 

[PT Ray]

I am just amazed that it could accidently burst. I have to come up with a certain degree of stategy to puncture mine.

 

[david_42]

Smack packs are easy to pop accidentally. It's when you want them to pop that it gets tough!

 

[homebrewer_99]

Smack packs are easy to pop accidentally. It's when you want them to pop that it gets tough!

Amen to that!

 

[2nd Street Brewery]

I've only used the smack packs a few times and have never gotten the inside pack to burst Now when I get one I just cut it open to make a starter, easier that way. Mostly I use White Labs vials and a starter.