Revive Yeast or Toss It

[BrewerBS]

I purchased a WYEAST packet in May 2013. It is 1335 British Ale II. The manufacturing date is 17 April 13. I am brewing a 5 gallon batch from a Frocious extract kit from Midwest. The SG is 1.064-1.068. I planned to brew last summer but a kitchen remodel got in my way. The remodel is done and I am ready to brew again! I have stored the yeast packet in my refrigerator since purchase. I want to step it up and hopefully pitch on Thursday. I will be using a stir plate and I have a 1 gallon jug to make my starter in. I calculated on Brewers Friend how many cells are left in the in the packet and it said zero. I have read postings from people using packets that were over a year old. I have also read to start small and build it up over three steps of starters. I have smacked the pack a few hours ago and haven't noticed any growth in the pack. Here are my questions having not done this before.

1. Is it viable?

2. What size should my starters be at each step(this was tough for me to find a way to calculate because I have zero yeast cells right now)? I was thinking 2 liter in a gallon jug? Or should I start with one two and then go to three liters?

3. What gravity should I use at each step, or all the same? I was planning on starting at 1.020 1st, 1.030 2nd, and 1.040 3rd.

4. Can I have too many cells when I am done? I believe that my goal is 12 million cells/ml.

5. Do I decant at each step?

6. And the ever controversial, airlock or foil on top of the starter since I will be building up I feel like O2 will be my friend and should use the foil but I am a contamination freak and like to keep things sealed up.



Thanks



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[jrgtr42]

I would consider using it - it's probably down a whole lot of viability since fresh, but who knows.
I would say to have a new pack in reserve, just in case, but smack that pack, and see if you get any inflation.
It may take longer than usual for anything to happen, but if you do get action, start with a small starter and step it up at least once.

 

[Konn]

I vote dropping $3 for an s-04 or us-05 pack over using a yeast pack from last May...

 

[BrewerBS]

Update:

I attempted to make a starter to revive my yeast. There was zero action. They were done for. Lesson learned.


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