Is it okay?

[PieOPah]

I have had a vial of Irish Yeast in the fridge for quite a while.

The yeast was cultured from one of my own brews after some problems during primary.

I know it has been a long time in the fridge, but I am assuming that I can rouse this yeast with a decent starter. The main thing I want to know is, how will I be able to tell whether or not the yeast is safe to use and uninfected.

I know it is unlikely as I followed my usual sanitation, just that I am slightly paranoid as I have never salvaged yeast like this before....

Thanks.

[steve_flack]

You can usually tell by smelling a starter. Does it smell 'right'?. If it smells right, taste a little bit (pour some in a separate glass).

Or of course you could plate it out on a petri dish and select a single colony to grow a clean starter afresh - but that's a bit of a pain in the arse.

[PieOPah]

Thanks,

I'll make a starter up with it but ensure I have some dried yeast on standby.

Will be a couple of weeks before I get to brew anyway

[mysterio]

Another thing is to have a look at the colour. I had a Czech lager yeast in the fridge for a few months and it started to turn a murkey dark grey.