When Is Yeast Too Old To Use?

[GHBWNY]

Bought a Belgian Ale kit. Asked the store mgr. to open the kit to check yeast BIUB date. It was dated 2012. I asked him if he had the same yeast in a more recent packet and he had was a 2013, so I took it. So, do I use it? Or wait until I have a fresher one? Or pitch both the 2012 & 2013? How critical is the BIUB date if it has been vacuum-sealed in a foil packet?

 

[budbo]

When it won't grow a starter. I have put mostly dead (and Black white labs re-filled the vial from another starter and it sat for a long time in fridge) in a starter, took a while since there weren't many alive but all you need is 1 live one and eventually you will have a full starter of fresh yeast.

 

[bja]

I've used 2 year old dried yeast before with no problems.

 

[flars]

Was there a production date, or best by date, on the rest of the kit? The kit may be quite old unless the kit producer is sending out expired yeast.

The 2013 yeast should have a steep discount if the 2013 date was the "best by" date. The yeast may still make beer, but it is old yeast.

 

[slarkin712]

I agree with flars on this. If your yeast is that old then your kit malt ingredients are most likely old as well. I wouldn't waste my time brewing a kit who's ingredient were more than a year old. Find a fresher kit.

 

[GHBWNY]

I agree with flars on this. If your yeast is that old then your kit malt ingredients are most likely old as well. I wouldn't waste my time brewing a kit who's ingredient were more than a year old. Find a fresher kit.

I'm assuming the kit malt ingredients are at least as old or older than the yeast. Does DME lose something from age?

 

[Calder]

If it is still a powder, the DME is fine.

 

[z-bob]

Dried yeast? I'm using some that's 10 years old without any problems... but I rehydrate it in warm distilled water, and then give it a pinch of sugar to see if it's alive before I use it, just to make sure.

 

[Calder]

Dried yeast? I'm using some that's 10 years old without any problems... but I rehydrate it in warm distilled water, and then give it a pinch of sugar to see if it's alive before I use it, just to make sure.

It very much depends on how it is stored. At fridge temps, it is probably ok for 15 years. At room temp, you should go by the use by date; that's when you will be about 50% viability.

 

[GHBWNY]

Did a little research and have decided not to pitch this yeast, except into the wastebasket. For $1.95, it's not worth risking 5 gal. of brew and ending up with a low floc, off-flavors, stalled ferm, etc.. Thanks for input everyone.

FWIW, I WILL be going AG in the new year. Only problem is, the nearest LHBS is an hour away. I know I can get ingredients online, but if I have a question to ask someone at the time of purchase, I'm outa luck.

 

[Curtis2010]

... I know I can get ingredients online, but if I have a question to ask someone at the time of purchase, I'm outa luck.

Less convenient to have a prolonged discussion, but I've had very good luck with online HBSs responding quickly to questions.

 

[EO74]

Did a little research and have decided not to pitch this yeast, except into the wastebasket. For $1.95, it's not worth risking 5 gal. of brew and ending up with a low floc, off-flavors, stalled ferm, etc.. Thanks for input everyone.

FWIW, I WILL be going AG in the new year. Only problem is, the nearest LHBS is an hour away. I know I can get ingredients online, but if I have a question to ask someone at the time of purchase, I'm outa luck.

Who needs LHBS whe you have homebrew talk for advice we know way more than your LHBS annywat

 

[SupervisingChildren]

What place was this at, just outta curiosity? Seems like they're not moving enough product if that's happening.

 

[Calder]

Did a little research and have decided not to pitch this yeast, except into the wastebasket. For $1.95, it's not worth risking 5 gal. of brew and ending up with a low floc, off-flavors, stalled ferm, etc.. Thanks for input everyone.

If you are going to toss it ....... toss it into the boiling wort. It's yeast nutrient.

 

[GHBWNY]

If you are going to toss it ....... toss it into the boiling wort. It's yeast nutrient.

So, if I'm getting new yeast, I need advice on whether to use fresh T-58 or would something different be better? Of all the Belgian styles out there, I don't know what style this kit is, but here are the particulars:

True Brew Whiteley Series Belgian Ale. OG 1.058 - 1.062, FG 1.007 - 1.011.

1 can unhopped LME
1 lb. x-light DME
1 lb. LME
1 lb. wheat DME
1 lb. Belgian candy sugar
1/3 lb. pale grain malt
1 oz. NB hop pellets
1 oz. Styrian Goldings "
1 oz. Czech Saaz "
1 pk. Fermentis T-58

I want to do what's in the recipe's best interest, but I don't mind going outside the box, either. Except that it might alter the intended style too much.

 

[slarkin712]

It's going to be either a Belgian pale ale or a saison. I've used t58 a few times and I like it. Also used dry Belle Saison yeast, which give you a really nice dry saison. For my tastes, I'd go for the saison, but I think either would be good.

 

[GHBWNY]

It's going to be either a Belgian pale ale or a saison. I've used t58 a few times and I like it. Also used dry Belle Saison yeast, which give you a really nice dry saison. For my tastes, I'd go for the saison, but I think either would be good.

Yeah, looks like T-58 is going to be the best yeast for this style. I was trying to find a liquid yeast that was compatible in hopes of both a livlier ferm and a bolder Belgian taste. But since this is not a Belgian Golden, I'd better stay true to the recommended yeast. I'm sure with a fresh pack, it will turn out great. Thanks for input.

 

[GHBWNY]

What place was this at, just outta curiosity? Seems like they're not moving enough product if that's happening.

It's a satellite store of a bigger store in the Rochester area. It doesn't appear that they move a ton of HB stuff, mostly off-the-shelf beers from around the country/world. In that regard, they maintain a very good turn-around. There just may not be enough HBers in the local area to support a well-rotated HB inventory. That said, nobody, whether an LHBS or a grocery store, should be stocking expired ingredients.

I ordered new T-58 from another supplier, so sometime soon, I'll get this Belgian off the ground.