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Frozen Smack Pack

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brentG

NewBee
Registered Member
Apr 20, 2014
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I just went to smack a pack of wyeast 1388 and realized it's frozen. The package says do not freeze. Is it ruined?
 

loveofrose

Got Mead? Patron
GotMead Patron
Nov 9, 2012
2,582
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Yep. It's ruined. You'll have to make a starter.


Better brewing through science!
 

Chevette Girl

All around BAD EXAMPLE
Moderator
Lifetime GotMead Patron
Apr 27, 2010
8,447
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Ottawa, ON
<grin> Stir plates are overrated... for those of us who don't have them, anyway :)

Give it some time, your smack pack might still work after it's thawed but I'd imagine it's got a pretty low cell count at this point so the few little yeasties who're left are going to take a while to show that they're still alive...
 

brentG

NewBee
Registered Member
Apr 20, 2014
200
2
0
I think I can hear two of them, rolling around in agony. There's a soft fizz with a little pressure build-up, but not much.
I didn't realize my mini fridge was set so cold. It's the beer fridge, so the only thing in it was yeast.
 

Chevette Girl

All around BAD EXAMPLE
Moderator
Lifetime GotMead Patron
Apr 27, 2010
8,447
59
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Ottawa, ON
Your two yeast cells in there will eventually get a whole colony going, you just need to give them some time...
 

kuri

NewBee
Registered Member
May 5, 2013
364
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Japan
And I'd give it time enough to swell before even thinking of opening it. It was probably packaged in a sterile environment, meaning the only thing that's going to be growing in there is the yeast you want. Let them get going before throwing them in a starter to give them every advantage they can get.
 

brentG

NewBee
Registered Member
Apr 20, 2014
200
2
0
Thanks for the help. I guess it wasn't completely frozen because it ended up working. I let the package swell up, which took most of the night, then waited a good 4-5 hours before opening it. I pitched it for a 1 gal BOMM, and the first day it was very slow, but last night it kicked into gear. Things seem to be going alright.
 
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