I pitched an activator smack pack from May that didn’t swell into my stout that I brewed on Sunday. On Monday morning there was still no activity in the carboy so I went back to Midwest and bought a newer smack pack. In fact, the date on it was Sept 09.

That thing puffed up nice and when I checked the carboy the next morning there was krauesen coming out of the airlock! Now that was some fresh yeast! I can’t wait until that one is ready. It has been years since I’ve run a stout properly.

Cheers!
Tony