Smack pack

[Pom]

Just went to the fridge to take out a packet of Wyeast American Pale Ale and found it to already be swollen. Its been in there for a month and a half but I have not activated it. It wasn't swollen when I bought it. Is it still ok to us?
There are two other packets of different Wyeast and they are ok.
Cheers Rob

[chadjaja]

I'd just use it to make up a 1L starter. Should be good to go and will confirm the viability of the yeast in the pack which is still probably good, yeast are tough suckers.

[Pom]

Yeah, I normally start with a litre and finish with a 5l, I was going to use it anyway just wondered if anyone had had the same thing happen.
Cheers chad

[Pom]

Started it with a 2l 200g and its now in a 5l started bubbling its ass of. The guy at G&G said this strain of yeast often trie's to start fermenting on its own thats why the packet was swollen but the nutrient hadn't been popped. All is good, couple more days a crassh chill over night and i will be ready to make my first american pale ale.
cheers Rob

[chadjaja]

Most packs of 1056 I've seen are partly swollen and the pouch is still in tact.

Why such a large starter? Double batch? Usually ales require 5% starter.

Good news it took off, yeast is a tough thing as I said.