Safale US-05 Expires in two months

[jhembro13]

I have two dry yeast packs (US-05). One will expire in end of June. Other is good for year and half. I was planing on making a low gravity pale ale (OG of 1.045) in the next few weeks. Would the dry yeast that expires in end of June be OK? Or should I just go ahead and use the newer yeast? Don’t want to waste yeast but also don’t want to ruin a batch if the yeast is too old. Either way, I plan on rehydrating the dry yeast prior to pitching to the pale ale batch.

 

[mongoose33]

I have two dry yeast packs (US-05). One will expire in end of June. Other is good for year and half. I was planing on making a low gravity pale ale (OG of 1.045) in the next few weeks. Would the dry yeast that expires in end of June be OK? Or should I just go ahead and use the newer yeast? Don’t want to waste yeast but also don’t want to ruin a batch if the yeast is too old. Either way, I plan on rehydrating the dry yeast prior to pitching to the pale ale batch.

I believe if you read the back of the packet you'll find the date is a "best before" date, not an expiration date.

If the packet has been well-stored, i.e., in the refrigerator or freezer, then use it. Make sure you rehydrate it properly and you should be good to go.

 

[jhembro13]

I believe if you read the back of the packet you'll find the date is a "best before" date, not an expiration date.

If the packet has been well-stored, i.e., in the refrigerator or freezer, then use it. Make sure you rehydrate it properly and you should be good to go.

That is great news. Thank you. I didn’t realize it was best before date. It has been stored in the fridge ever since I bought the yeast. Will give it a shot

 

[zlimfur]

It will work without any off flavours. I've used s05 1,5 years after bb date..

 

[RM-MN]

Dry yeast is incredibly hardy and I think that it is estimated that it loses about 1 or 2% viability....per year. Bread yeast is left unrefrigerated on the store shelves for who knows how long. It works fine. I buy bulk and freeze it. Never fails to take off. There is a requirement that every "food" item has a best by date. It doesn't mean that it will be bad after that date.

 

[homebrewer_99]

One of the reasons why you do a starter is to make sure the yeast is (still) good.

 

[Northern_Brewer]

Also worth noting that Fermentis have recently extended their best before from 2 years to 3 years.

 

[thehaze]

Even if expired, it will work. Dry yeast is tough...

 

[Sparkncode]

Yep no problems with 'expired' dry yeast.

I brought some S04 yeast cheap because it expired november last year. Still going great, kicks off quick so no obvious viability issues.