Really old yeast. Not as old as the egyptians. Small grey balls.

Share your experiences of using brewing yeast.
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Mitchamitri2

Really old yeast. Not as old as the egyptians. Small grey balls.

Post by Mitchamitri2 » Thu Oct 26, 2017 5:27 pm

So after this year's cider making I have a week or so before I start my new job so I thought I'd dig out the old kit and make some beer again (been so long I had to reregister for JBK)

Bish bash bosh 25kg of MO and popping into Bath tomorrow to get me yeasts etc.

Anyways, rooting through the garage I found some old "Inherited" tubs - pectolase, irish moss, and a tub of yeast "CWE Formula 67 plus yeast compound"
- expiry October 1987. It looks like yeast with some small grey balls which I assume are nutrient as it contains bentonite and diammonium phosphate.

Am going to see if it's got any life in it. Not worth it for brewing but just out of curiosity........

Mitchamitri2

Re: Really old yeast. Not as old as the egyptians. Small grey balls.

Post by Mitchamitri2 » Thu Oct 26, 2017 5:34 pm

and of course I posted this in the wrong thread and can't remember how to move it......Jim?

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Kev888
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Re: Really old yeast. Not as old as the egyptians. Small grey balls.

Post by Kev888 » Thu Oct 26, 2017 6:44 pm

Welcome back; think you must have been here before my time!

Yes, for curiosity it'll be interesting to hear how this goes. I've recently heard of some quite old dried yeast still working, but this is much older; I guess it may not have been gas/vacuum sealed either.
Kev

Mitchamitri2

Re: Really old yeast. Not as old as the egyptians. Small grey balls.

Post by Mitchamitri2 » Fri Oct 27, 2017 9:14 am

Pitched it in some warm sugary water. My expert opinion is.....bugger all happens.

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Kev888
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Re: Really old yeast. Not as old as the egyptians. Small grey balls.

Post by Kev888 » Fri Oct 27, 2017 9:38 am

I suppose even if it worked, there would be a much longer lag than normal. Unfortunately if it lags for too long it could be hard to know if it is the yeast that has finally begun or if an infection has had chance to take hold (in the absence of lab facilities anyway). Probably taste would help decide if left to take its natural course though.
Kev

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Laripu
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Re: Really old yeast. Not as old as the egyptians. Small grey balls.

Post by Laripu » Sun Oct 29, 2017 9:46 pm

Small grey balls sounds like an ailment of those of advanced years. Heading there my own se'f.

Good luck, Mitchayeasti. :)

Welcome back, BTW. We missed you.
Secondary FV: As yet unnamed Weizenbock ~7%
Bulk aging: Soodo: Grocery store grape juice wine experiment.
Drinking: Mostly Canadian whisky until I start brewing again.

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