Your process of elimination seems mighty thorough. Confirmation could come from buying a new pitch of 1056, following SOP, and getting clear beer. Unless, of course, there is a bigger, ongoing problem at Wyeast. Production problems are not unprecedented at any of the labs. I suppose it's silly to ask if you noted the production date on that smack pack. (Though I think I might add doing so to my routine whenever I buy a new culture to prop up, in light of this discussion.) But I wonder if others out there have had the same experience with this particular yeast?