Frozen Yeast

[Shawn, the Beer Philosopher]

Arrived home two evenings ago to find a shipment sitting on my front step. The contents? Crushed specialty grains, some DME, hops (glacier, by the way) and two vials of White Labs American Ale Yeast Blend (WLP060) I'd ordered for an upcoming "special brewing project" of mine.

Anyway, the temps here had dropped to about 5 degrees F and my yeast vials were frozen solid when I opened the box. Oops.

I'm assuming my yeasties met their frigid demise, but do you guys think it is worth tryin' to use 'em if I plan to make a starter? Could they still be viable?

[olllllo]

I have some Roselare Blend that I got in the summer shipped on ice, but when I got it the ice pack was 93 degrees. I threw it in the fridge.

I haven't had the heart to even try.

But in the interests of brewing comraderie, I will proof mine if you proof yours.

Call it a fire and ice challenge.

[Chipper Dave]

I have doubts about their survival, but if you have the notion to try an make a small yeast starter, perhaps some of them survived in a suspended animation state.

[Ray Grace]

You're probably screwed, the freezing probably broke the cell walls in the yeast killing them. But like others have said make a yeast starter and see what you get.

[Seamus Watson]

I have frozen yeast that I harvested from previous brews, but have yet to use them. From what I have learned, you can expect some cell damage, but that is in a more "controlled" environment, namely a freezer. If your yeast have frozen solid and allowed to thaw on its own, well good luck with that, but if you kept it frozen or thawed it to make an immediate starter you have a good chance of survival. I guess the real question is "how important is this batch"? If it is for a special event I would err or on side of caution and get a new culture. This site proved uselful on the subject of freezing yeast. Good luck! Be sure to let us know how it turns out!


http://www.ipass.net/mpdixon/Homebrew/Freezing%20Yeast.htm

[Shawn, the Beer Philosopher]

Okay, since I've already documented my little frozen yeast fiasco a few weeks ago I thought I'd post a brief follow up. I'm getting ready to brew a batch later this week or this weekend (not the Inoculator, though) so I thought I'd get my little frost bitten yeasties out of the fridge and give 'em a whirl. Like most all of you have said, I don't hold out much hope there any viable yeast left but what's the harm in givin' 'em a chance? Who knows, maybe there's a few fighters in there still ... we'll see soon enough, I recon. I made a 1000ML starter and crossed my fingers.
I'll keep you posted since I know everyone is now on the edge of their seats awaiting the outcome. ;)

[Shawn, the Beer Philosopher]

What do you guys think, maybe call it "Eye of the Tiger" Porter? My frozen yeast vials thawed out and came out kickin'! I can't believe it.

http://aleuminati.ning.com/video/frozen-yeastie-porter

[Graz]

We have a different problem here in the South West. We don't buy mail order yeast. Except for the occasional Saf products. I would definitely your frozen rascals to make a starter. How did yours turn out?

[Shawn, the Beer Philosopher]

I've been meaning to post a more thorough follow up. It turned out just fine! Extremely active fermentation with a 1000ML starter. Tough little buggers, they were. I thought I'd probably better play James Taylor's "Frozen Man" whilst pitching that yeast ... ... !

Interestingly, this is the beer I'm bottling tonight.