LHBS had some outdated S-189 lager dry yeast dated 12/18. At $9.95 a package I can see why it has sat around.
Thoughts on viability and vitality
I have used very old dry yeast with success before. But, I don’t know how to know viability without a starter or pitching in your batch and waiting. Are you feeling lucky?
I hope he wasn’t selling the expired yeast at that price. My LHBS sells me recently expired yeast at over half off (usually for $1 or $2, if just out of date). If you could pick up a couple sachets of the 12/18 exp. date, I would give it a try (again only if you get it deeply discounted).
I am not sure how he did it, but Jamil put together a viability factor for dry yeast in his Mr. Malty calculator…
I know a fellow brewer who routinely uses dry yeast ~2 yrs past its printed expiration date. He reports no problems with it. I have not used dry brewing yeast this old but I have used bakers yeast that was 6 yrs past its printed expiration date, and it made perfectly good bread. Yeah I know, totally different strains, not an apples-to-apples comparison, but the point is that dry yeast is hardy as hell. Two years old should be fine.
Feeling lucky? Not at that price or the not so generous $2 off discount!! LOL
Even though I feel like you’d be OK even though it’s past it’s expiration, you can get S-189 for $8 + free shipping from Label Peelers. It won’t be expired. Unless -189 is critical to your beer, Diamond may be an alternative at $5.30 + free shipping.
Depending on the wx where you are, it might be cool enough to even risk ordering liquid yeast online. I won’t do it in the Summer here in AL but in the winter I am not as concerned.
My feeling lucky comment was in regards to your question “Thoughts on viability and vitality”. I guess I assumed you bought it. Sorry.
I found it on Adventures in Homebrewing for $5.36 that was with shipping. I also visited the Fermentis website and they claim the yeast when properly stored ( i think it was 15c) will last 36 month.
I haven’t used S-189 and I am looking forward to trying it.
No worries!! I probably would have had he given a much better discount. He wanted $7 and I found it on AIH for $5.36
Cheers!!
Williams has it for the same as 34/70 and Diamond - all are $4.99
https://www.williamsbrewing.com/Home-Brewing-Supplies/Yeast/Dry-Beer-Yeast/DRY-LAGER-YEAST
Properly stored, I see no problems using dried yeast expired for 2 years. I’ve done it and it works fine. You can double the pitch rate or brew a smaller batch if you are concerned. But I wouldn’t even worry about that, at least not stored in my own refrigerator that long.
[emoji106]
This is just me, but unless they gave-it-away, I would steer clear of it.
Why take a chance? Just like beer on the store shelf that is past it’s pull-date. Stay away!
I would agree, it basically shouldn’t cost anything at this point. If more than a dollar I wouldn’t buy it.
Agreed!
Two batches ago I brewed a bitter with Muntons that had a 11/16 date. It worked fine.
I love Munton’s ale yeast because it’s so damn cheap. I think my last pack was… wait, I can even look it up… heh… $1.13, including tax! And made a great stout that won a gold. I should use it way more often. The “drawback” is the terrible attenuation, I got just 56%. But hey, if the beer tastes good, who cares. Could always increase the OG and/or do an overnight mash (low & slow = the way to go) to help compensate for the low attenuation.
Pah, I’ve made bread with dry yeast that was 18 years past it (at ambient as well, not fridged) - it didn’t quite rise as much as fresh, but it still basicly worked.
That level of AA sounds like some of the old Ron Pattinson recipes. Those English strains get some remarkably low AA.
We have baked bread with yeast that was 1 year out of date. Results? Should have bought fresh yeast.
Single data point.