As a sommelier and brewer, I understand the importance of using fresh yeast in the brewing process. Yeast is a living organism, and its viability and effectiveness can diminish over time. Therefore, it is crucial to use yeast that is as fresh as possible to ensure optimal fermentation and flavor development in your beer.
Imperial Yeast, known for their high-quality yeast strains, packages their yeast in Pitch Right Pouches. These pouches are designed to provide a convenient and easy-to-use format for homebrewers. But how long can you store these pouches before using them?
Imperial Yeast recommends using their yeast within 3 months of the manufactured on date. This means that you should aim to use the yeast as soon as possible to take advantage of its full potential. This freshness guarantee ensures that you are getting yeast with high viability and activity.
However, it's important to note that the actual shelf life of the Pitch Right Pouches may be longer than the recommended 3 months. This is because Imperial Yeast packages a significant amount of yeast cells in each pouch – a whopping 200 billion cells! This high cell count provides a buffer and allows the yeast to remain viable for an extended period.
In my personal experience, I have used Imperial Yeast Pitch Right Pouches that were several months past the recommended 3-month shelf life, and they still performed exceptionally well. The fermentation was vigorous, and the resulting beer had excellent flavor and aroma characteristics.
That being said, it's always best to use the freshest yeast possible. If you have the option to purchase yeast with a more recent manufactured on date, I would recommend doing so. This way, you can be confident that you are getting yeast with the highest viability and activity.
To ensure the longevity of your yeast, it's important to store it properly. Imperial Yeast recommends storing their Pitch Right Pouches in a refrigerator at temperatures between 34-38°F (1-3°C). This will help to maintain the yeast's viability and activity for a longer period.
Imperial Yeast Pitch Right Pouches have a recommended shelf life of 3 months from the manufactured on date. However, due to the high cell count in each pouch, the yeast may remain viable for a longer period. It is always best to use the freshest yeast possible for optimal fermentation results. Remember to store the yeast in a refrigerator to maintain its viability. Cheers to brewing great beer with fresh yeast!