Is this Yeast Still Good?

[scdigger]

Hey Guys...back in Oct or so - Northern Brewer had a sale, buy three kits for a special price...I brewed the brown ale right away...and just did the Smash American Ale last weekend...

Reading the directions it said the refrigerate the yeast right away (Danstar American West Coast Ale Yeast)...I didn't. So I was worried with it just being in the box for what, 3+ months....

So, when it came time to pitch the yeast, I had a pack of Safale 05 in the freezer that I used instead....and it's just bubbling away wonderfully now...

So my question(s):

#1 - Is that Danstar Yeast still any good since I didn't put it in the fridge right away when I got it last fall?

#2 - Will using a different yeast from the recipe have any significant impact on my final results?

Thanks!

Greg

 

[adamdillabo]

My home brew store doesn't have the refrigerated. I would check the expiration date. If it's relatively new yeast I would say your fine. I would proof it by the directions and have a back up just incase. Although the faq from danstar says not all will foam in the 15-20 mins but will perform equally well.

 

[unionrdr]

Being a dry yeast, it's survive room temps better than liquid yeast. Especially since it has more cells in the dry pack versus wet. But being at room temp for a few months, Rehydrating it & then decanting into a small starter would help a lot. both this one & US-05 brew clean, so they'd turn out a lot alike.

 

[PGEduardo]

If it's worth the $3 in effort - I'd make sure to make a starter. Otherwise just brew a bigger beer and dump it in with a new packet for the extra cell count needed...

 

[supermutantbrewmaster]

I've used dry yeast from a coopers can that was left in a garage for 2 years straight. I rehydrated and pitched it. Started fermenting solidly in 24 hours. You're fine. Danstar has incredibly robust dry yeasts.

 

[masskrug]

I would re-hydrate it and see if it comes to life. I think you will be fine.

 

[scdigger]

Thanks guys!

 

[Calder]

It is fine, dry yeast lasts a long time at room temperature (a couple of years), and 10 years in the fridge.

If it was liquid yeast, it would be a different matter.

Your beer with S-05 will be fiine.