[BeverageBob]

What do you guys do to "break" the inner packet when the whole thing is swelled? I forget if the nutrients are in the inner bag or the yeast.

[chumley]

They're in the yeast.  All the inner bag has is wort, and demonstrates that the yeast is viable through the swelling.  Something that you already know by now.

I would just make a starter and forget about the inner bag.

[Stevie]

Not according to their site. Second paragraph.

https://www.wyeastlab.com/hb_productdetail.cfm?ProductID=16

[Stevie]

Anyhow, if it is swollen, the pack may have opened in transit. I agree, just role with it and make a starter.

Tapatalk won't allow me to edit.

[BeverageBob]

Thanks for the info guys! I usually make a starter no matter what anyhow so, should be good.

[denny]

Thanks for the info guys! I usually make a starter no matter what anyhow so, should be good.

Bob, I often get them swollen or sometimes they swell in the fridge.  I've never found a broken nutrient pack when that happens and the yeast has always been fine.  I seldom even bother to smack them before making a starter.

[klickitat jim]

Ive had some swell up, I wish I could remember which variety. Seems like it was a lager, maybe bohemian

[BeverageBob]

Do you guys toss the nutrients in with the yeast starter? Seems like it would be a waste not to.

[klickitat jim]

Yes

[erockrph]

Do you guys toss the nutrients in with the yeast starter? Seems like it would be a waste not to.

Absolutely. IMO, it's more important in the starter than in the beer itself.

[denny]

Do you guys toss the nutrients in with the yeast starter? Seems like it would be a waste not to.

Nope.  Not necessary, so I don't hassle with it.  Besides, I always add a bit of nutrient to my starters.

[roguejim]

Where I live in southern Oregon, this seems to be a recent phenomenon in the last couple of years, i.e., that most, if not all smack paks are partly swollen (some worse than others) at the retailers.  I don't like it, but, maybe it's not really an issue? 

[denny]

Jim, I haven't found it to be an issue at all.  And for me it goes back more than just a few years.