WLP300 re-animation

[Kev.]

I've got some White labs Hefeweizen (WLP300) stored on slants in my fridge. These have been stored since Feb 05, the cultures look healthy and no spoilage organisms or mould spores can be seen.

They are stored in sealed air tight test tubes and sealed in airtight ziploc bags. I've never tried to revive yeast quite as old as these before and I'm curious as to how they will react.

I've also some frozen yeast from the same batch sored in glycerine and may try both for comparison.

Anyone else tried with older slants?

[deadlydes]

Kev:
i havent worked with slants this old myself but i have a friend who has with great results. the main thing is that the slant is not infected.
give it a go!
make a starter and taste the liquid, you will know if its off or not.
let me know how it goes!

[Kev.]

I made and innoculated two 50ml starters as planned, one for the WLP300 Hefeweizen and one for a WLP028 Edinburgh, which was plated in April 06.

Both yeasts kicked off around 24hrs later. Strangely the older Hefe yeast has been the more vigorous of the two, so it seems it's time in storage hasn't obviously affected it too much.