Hard Yeast

[AnimatedGIF]

I just want to check before I write to the supplier, but this week I ordered some dried Kveik Lutra. When it arrived, the packet was rock solid. I certainly can't "sprinkle" as the instructions say to.
Is it usable, or has it somehow got damp/overheated/something else?
Does this happen often with dried yeast?

 

[phettebs]

The only time I saw that was when I got a large packet of it from a commercial brewer. I believe it was well past its prime. I couldn't get it to ferment at all. But yes, it was like a brick.

 

[GeorgieV]

I remember one of the commercial suppliers did vacuum packed yeast with the instruction not to use if the pack was soft. Not sure which company it was.

 

[AnimatedGIF]

I should have posted here, but yes, that's the response I got, that some manufacturers vacuum pack, and that is why the yeast appears hard.

 

[Richard_H]

I remember one of the commercial suppliers did vacuum packed yeast with the instruction not to use if the pack was soft. Not sure which company it was.

Off the top of my head Lallemand do this whenever I have used their yeast, once opened the packets sprinkle as normal.

If the yeast is one big clump once opened then I would be concerned.

 

[YeastFace]

I've never used Omega yeast, but is it like Wyeast with a smack pack? If so, they say they're perfectly fine to sell (so I assume use). Swollen package, fnarr fnarr:

What are the causes of swollen packages? Can you sell them?
Swollen packages are almost always the cause of a small amount of sugar or CO2 being left in solution at the time of packaging. Upon shipment, CO2 can be released from solution or the yeast can consume the sugar and create a small amount of CO2. Cell autolysis, or cell death can also be a cause of swelling packaged.

 

[Clint]

Off the top of my head Lallemand do this whenever I have used their yeast, once opened the packets sprinkle as normal.

If the yeast is one big clump once opened then I would be concerned.

THIS.

 

[foxbat]

I've never used Omega yeast, but is it like Wyeast with a smack pack? If so, they say they're perfectly fine to sell (so I assume use). Swollen package, fnarr fnarr:

Omega is liquid yeast but it does not have a smack-pack of nutrient like Wyeast.

 

[YeastFace]

Thanks.

Omega say:

My pack of yeast is swollen. Is the yeast still good to use?
Swelling of the pack is not an indication of a problem with the yeast. It is the result of slow fermentation of residual fermentables during storage. The yeast is still perfectly fine to use (assuming it is within date and has been stored properly).

 

[Northern_Brewer]

this week I ordered some dried Kveik Lutra.

I think replies in this thread are missing the point, Omega mostly do liquid yeast but have recently started selling a dry version of Lutra (OYL-71). Which is - cough - manufactured by Lallemand, so may behave similarly to Lallemand-brand stuff, which generally is pretty hard.

 

[fgoulding]

I think replies in this thread are missing the point, Omega mostly do liquid yeast but have recently started selling a dry version of Lutra (OYL-71). Which is - cough - manufactured by Lallemand, so may behave similarly to Lallemand-brand stuff, which generally is pretty hard.

I just recently bought a couple of packs of dried Omega Lutra to try and do a pseudo lager and I did not know it was made by Lallemand but their dried Voss has worked out well for me.

As for the swollen liquid pack, I would build over-build a starter and use half for the brew and store half for next time. Rather than risk a stuck fermentation.