Nottingham Yeast Date

[brew703]

I have two packs of Notty, both with an expiration date of Dec 2018. I will be brewing a PA with an OG of 1.056 in about 2 weeks. Is the date 1 or 2 years from production date?

Also, would it be wise to rehydrate both packs and pitch or just go with one?

 

[carluchi]

Note sure about production date but I'm sure the yeast is fine.

I would rehydrate and go with 1 packet with an OG of 1.056 (assuming 5 gal batch)

 

[dmtaylor]

Doesn't matter. Dried yeast lasts more than 2 years.

 

[jfolks]

I respectfully disagree with the other posts. Dried yeast still loses viability/vitality, just at a slower rate than liquid yeast. They switched to 3 years from production date a few years ago - so those packs are pretty old by now. Mr malty has a dried yeast viability calculator - you can check viability there, but I would definitely use both packs and rehydrate first. Even if it was brand new, 200 billion cells (one pack) would be an under pitch. I’d buy another pack and pitch three personally

 

[JohnSand]

I follow the recommendations of the provider successfully. I would use the yeast without hesitation. Follow your normal procedure.

 

[verboten]

I just pitched 12/17 expired Nottingham 6hours ago. It’s bubbling away right now.

 

[brew703]

Well when it's time to brew, I'll just pitch the two packs I have, rehydrated so I can use them up. If it's an over-pitch so be it I guess.
Thanks for the replies.