Titch wrote:started yeast in sugar solution
I know that it looks impressive when you start them in sugar water, but you will have killed off a good portion of them by doing so. It really is better to start the dry beer yeast off in plain old warm water. It is less shock for them until they get rehydrated. Not saying that your beer didnt ferment for you but it will have done better if you had treated the yeast better.
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As for the kit being out of date, you shouldn't have a problem. It was only September, go ahead and sling it into an FV and you are on your way.
Cheers