A few weeks back when I was making my last batch of beer I brought a packet of S-04 into the kitchen to make into a starter after which point I was completely unable to find it again and nor could anyone else. In the end I put it down to having a "senior moment" and hadn't actually got the yeast in the first place, so used another pack.
This weekend my son and I have been making a batch of Brewdog Punk IPA (his request). Whilst we were getting the hops out of the freezer I found a little blue packet It must have got caught up with the hops I was putting back into the freezer last time and I didn't notice. So perhaps I'm not going as senile as I thought.
Anyhow, now I have it, any thoughts on the viability of the yeast having spent three weeks at -18C? I can make the pack up into a starter a few days before I want to use it to see what happens and give me time to use another batch if they're dead as a dodo, but if they're highly unlikely to have made it anyhow then I shan't bother.
James
(Accidentally) frozen dried yeast still viable?
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Re: (Accidentally) frozen dried yeast still viable?
Worth trying a starter. Dried yeast might just make it through a -18°C storage for three weeks.
Guy
Guy
Re: (Accidentally) frozen dried yeast still viable?
Bread yeast can be frozen. I tried this dividing up a 500g block a few years ago, the viability of a defrosted yeast/flour bag was noticeably less than fresh but it was economical.
I brew therefore I ... I .... forget
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Re: (Accidentally) frozen dried yeast still viable?
I keep all my dried yeast in the freezer, it lasts for at least 2 years. I take it out a few hours ahead and always rehydrate in warm (sterile) water before using.
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Re: (Accidentally) frozen dried yeast still viable?
Kal at the electric brewery has an interesting page on repacking and freezing dry yeast. He says no problem freezing it.
https://shop.theelectricbrewery.com/pag ... -dry-yeast
https://shop.theelectricbrewery.com/pag ... -dry-yeast
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Re: (Accidentally) frozen dried yeast still viable?
Interesting thought about using a non-frost free freezer. The hot and cold cycling would possibly harm the yeast if it's on the freezer bars.
In a home freezer the best way would probably be to sit it on top of something else already in the freezer to avoid this.
Guy
In a home freezer the best way would probably be to sit it on top of something else already in the freezer to avoid this.
Guy