[micsager]

I've made a deal with my LHBS to buy 4 packs of 1056 each week, if I get the freshest stuff he has......

So yesterday I stop by to pick up this weeks yeast, and what's the date?  Aug072012

Wow.  No complaints there. 

But I wonder, how much does a week or two after packaging REALLY matter

[denny]

Great to live near Wyeast, huh?  I often get packs dated justv a day or 2 before I buy them.  But I doubt a week or so will make a lot of difference.

[roguejim]

Denny, do you order your yeast in advance to get fresher product?

[denny]

Denny, do you order your yeast in advance to get fresher product?

Nope, I just pick it up at the Home Fermenter Center as needed.  Some varieties stick around longer, but ones like 1056 and a few others are always really fresh.

[davidgzach]

Great to live near Wyeast, huh?  I often get packs dated justv a day or 2 before I buy them.  But I doubt a week or so will make a lot of difference.

Thought I would check Mr. Malty to see what the degradation rate is.  Seems it's programmed to lose 5% of viability per week......

Dave

[beersk]

Great to live near Wyeast, huh?  I often get packs dated justv a day or 2 before I buy them.  But I doubt a week or so will make a lot of difference.

Thought I would check Mr. Malty to see what the degradation rate is.  Seems it's programmed to lose 5% of viability per week.....

Dave

Really sucks, because I routinely get sent viles and packs of yeast that are a month or two old, some even older.  It makes me really wonder why I brew with liquid yeast sometimes.  Starters are fine to make, but I don't care much for having to step them up several times just to brew a beer that is 1.045 OG.

[Kaiser]

Beersk,

I don't think you have to steep up several times. A single step should be just fine if you are starting with a vial or pack.

Kai

[Pinski]

Great to live near Wyeast, huh?  I often get packs dated justv a day or 2 before I buy them. 

+11
Very fortunate indeed, I can often get yeast less than a week "old".  I usually go in with a few in mind and go with what is most fresh.

[beersk]

Beersk,

I don't think you have to steep up several times. A single step should be just fine if you are starting with a vial or pack.

Kai

For a several month old vial? 

[denny]

Beersk,

I don't think you have to steep up several times. A single step should be just fine if you are starting with a vial or pack.

Kai

For a several month old vial?

Don't know about vials, but it's fine with smack packs.  I just put  9 month old smackpack into a 2 qt. starter and it's fermenting away happily.

[Kaiser]

Beersk,

I don't think you have to steep up several times. A single step should be just fine if you are starting with a vial or pack.

Kai

For a several month old vial? 

Even if the vial is at 25% viability you still have about 25 B cells in there and that is sufficient for a 2-3 qt starter.

Kai

[Pi]

I'm sorry in advance if I am off-topic; if there's a better place please move me.
Anyway, I got a nice cake from an Oktoberfest; i was thinking about using for a Boh Pils. Just racked the beer off after 2 weeks of primary so i am guessing it's still pretty fresh. Probably wont brew for a couple days, so what's yer method for storing? I put about 500ml of the slurry in a flask and topped up to 1l. with water. Do you think i should add some wort to rev it up or direct pitch?

[Joe Sr.]

I put the slurry in one of these jobs: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-QT-Servin-Saver-Beverage-Bottle-1776348-Rubbermaid-/230717249593?_trksid=p3284.m263&_trkparms=algo%3DSIC%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BFICS%252BUFI%26otn%3D21%26pmod%3D330719125708%26ps%3D54

and then stick it in the fridge.  If you use it within two weeks, you can probably direct pitch it.  Longer than that you might want to make a starter.

[jeffy]

I put the slurry in one of these jobs: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-QT-Servin-Saver-Beverage-Bottle-1776348-Rubbermaid-/230717249593?_trksid=p3284.m263&_trkparms=algo%3DSIC%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BFICS%252BUFI%26otn%3D21%26pmod%3D330719125708%26ps%3D54

and then stick it in the fridge.  If you use it within two weeks, you can probably direct pitch it.  Longer than that you might want to make a starter.

Ha!  I got one of those exact same containers from the grocery store on my way to a brewery for fresh yeast once.  I also store yeast in wide plastic jars, like the ones that mixed nuts come in.

[denny]

My LHBS sells extract in 1/2 gal. plastic containers with snap on lids.  I bought a few of them for about  buck apiece and store yeast in them.