Wyeast newbie question

[Thor]

To date I've only used White Labs or dry yeast. I am using a Wyeast 1056 for a porter I will brew shortly. I received the ingredients, along with the Wyeast, this week via mail order, and have what is likely a dumb question: is the breakable nutrient pouch clearly noticeable in the packet?

Clarification: when I felt around to see where the bubble pouch was in the larger packet, I didn't feel it. I didn't want to manhandle the thing, because I don't need to use the yeast for a couple of days and didn't want to break the nutrient pack. Is it just small, or might it have burst already (e.g. in transit)?

 

[DeRoux's Broux]

i was in the same boat a few weeks back when i brewed my Claymore Wee Heavy. dedicated White Labs dude, but ALAS! my local HBS didn't have Edinburgh Ale yeast, so i had to go w/ Wyeast Scottish Ale. it's there. it just slides around when your feel'n for it. i had to "slap" my smack pack a few times to get it. damn thing swelled so much, it sprang a leak! i added it to a starter and all went well.......
no stupid questions BTW......

 

[anthrobe]

I just tried my first Wyeast the other day. I had a hell of a time trying to break nutrient pack inside. The package did not swell that much overnight and found that I had barely broke it when I pitched the yeast. So far it has not effected my starter.

 

[Baron von BeeGee]

Also, as long as you're making a starter it's not critical that you actually get it smacked, although I like to.

 

[2nd Street Brewery]

I concur. I also use mostly WL yeasts. I've only use Wyeast a couple of times and each one I didn't both smacking it. I just opened and added the yeast to my starter. Haven't had a problem that way.