I hope someone can help me out here. I purchased a package of the above-named yeast from my normal supplier last week. I live in the lower midwest where until a few days ago it has been very hot. It arrived last Wednesday and the package was hot to the touch - not boiling, you understand, but the cooler pack my supplier uses to ship yeast was evaporated. I smacked the pack as per usual, but it didn't swell up. I checked the date and it was from May 2012. I waited and gradually it started to swell until finally today (Tuesday, August 14) it was thick enough to begin stepping it up. I did so, and noticed what may be an off-odor. Since I have never used this strain before, my question is this: Has anyone had a similar experience to this one, and was the smell just something I wasn't used to and therefore unexpected? Can I still use this yeast? (I'm planning to brew this weekend.) I've been brewing for 18 years, so I'm not a novice. Thanking you in advance.