Yeast taking long time to arrive

[mhochman]

Hi folks,
In preparation of making an AHS recipe I ordered a second smack pack of Wyeast American Ale II. I ordered from a store in Wisconsin and I live on Long Island. I ordered the yeast and an icepack that would be sitting right on top of the yeast pack. The order shipped on the 18th (wed) and I was expecting delivery on Saturday. As of now (Monday noon) I have not received the yeast and no delivery time is listed on the fedex site. Assuming I get it today or tomorrow, should I be concerned about the viability of this smack pack? I realize after I "smack it" I'll know soon enough if the pack is ok, but I'd rather come up with a back up plan just in case. The recipe is the AHS American IPA (I). I already have one pack of the yeast and this second one was to avoid making a starter (don't have the equip. for it) and to ensure a high pitch rate. I also have a packet of Notty in the house.

Thanks.

 

[Justibone]

If you use the notty, be sure to keep the temp nice and low.

 

[mhochman]

If you use the notty, be sure to keep the temp nice and low.

My hope is to stick with the American Ale II and stay true to the recipe. I'd really like to know if my yeast will arrive usable.

 

[Justibone]

No way of knowing that.

 

[tvtoms]

It PROBABLY will be ok as it hasnt really been super duper hot in the east at all the last few days.

I'm waiting for a replacement item from midwest supplies that I was told last Wednesday was sent out via priority mail last Wednesday. How the heck long does USPS Priority mail take anyway?

I've ordered Amazon super saver free shipping on a friday at noon and had it arrive the following wednesday morning. And thats via UPS. Some of these long ship times are baffling when you see others doing it better and faster.

 

[mhochman]

The yeast just arrived. It actually felt a *touch* cool (relative to room temp) when I took it out of the package. The ice pack was obviously fully melted. My I will smack both packs and hope they each puff up. I assume it won't hurt anything to throw it in as long as it puffs. If it does nothing, I'll keep it out and hope for the best with the original pack, and throw in the notty if I feel like fermentation isn't progressing.

 

[tvtoms]

It's probably going to be totally fine. Make a small starter maybe.

I'm still awaiting my "priority mail". Now as I make it out using google maps, their store is 1089 miles from my house. I could drive it in 18 hours. But priority mail takes at least 6 days. You know what? I bet they sent it west around the earth instead of east. D'oh, that *must* be it, right? right? lmfao.

Good luck with your batch!

 

[Justibone]

It's a good practice to always make starters with wet yeast, I understand.

 

[likwidbliss]

I use smack packs whether or not if they puff up. Have had no problems. Have spare Notty too.

 

[Justibone]

I use smack packs whether or not if they puff up. Have had no problems. Have spare Notty too.

Spare yeast packets are like lifeboats on the Titanic... useless, until they're really needed!