save my smack pack!

[Thakog]

So, I was brewing a batch last weekend using those Wyeast smack packs. This was my first time using them, normally I just go dry yeast or white labs. However, when I "smacked" the pack I realized I actually hit my wife's mead pack instead of the beer yeast I needed. It's been in the fridge for a week, and it's expanded quite a bit. I think she's gonna blow. (Just the smack pack, not the wife.)

What's my best way of salvaging this? Can I stick it in the freezer, or will that kill everything? Due to carboy space, she won't be able to start the mead for a couple of weeks unless we buy another carboy.

 

[marubozo]

Don't freeze it. Keeping it cold in the fridge is smart.

As long as the packet doesn't rupture (which it shouldn't) the yeast would still be fine in a few weeks when you're ready to use it. I'd just go ahead and make sure you make a starter with it so you have the healthiest yeast in the greatest numbers to make sure everything goes well.