Frozen WLP yeast

[mr hoppy]

Anyone ever successfully  resurrected WLP yeast that was unintentionally frozen?

[Ciderhead]

No it's gonna be dead, too cold in the bottom of your fridge?

[mr hoppy]

Nope, someone put it in the freezer. Reason I ask is I've seen reports of such miracles on other boards and was curious if anyone on here had any relevant direct experience. Have made a starter, but not holding my breath.

BTW this is not the WLP037 for the October ale. That's fine.

[Ciderhead]

Yeast murderer! Let us know how you get on?

[mr hoppy]

Like I said (well, more implied)- it wasn't me. I did explain to the culprit that they'd basically committed genocide.

What I saw on other boards is that some folks have gotten lucky, but it can take 3 - 4 days before there's any action so sanitation is critical. Also, Wyeast recommends defrosting slowly in the fridge to minimise damage. In simple terms, the ice crystals poke holes in the yeast's cell walls and I suppose their insides pour out if they thaw too quickly.

The yeast in question was WLP510, and I was planning to make a clone of La Rulles Estivale (yummy Belgian session beer with pils malt and Amarillo hops). If it makes it I think I'll call it an Easter beer.

[Dodge]

Like I said (well, more implied)- it wasn't me. I did explain to the culprit that they'd basically committed genocide.

What I saw on other boards is that some folks have gotten lucky, but it can take 3 - 4 days before there's any action so sanitation is critical. Also, Wyeast recommends defrosting slowly in the fridge to minimise damage. In simple terms, the ice crystals poke holes in the yeast's cell walls and I suppose their insides pour out if they thaw too quickly.

The yeast in question was WLP510, and I was planning to make a clone of La Rulles Estivale (yummy Belgian session beer with pils malt and Amarillo hops). If it makes it I think I'll call it an Easter beer.

Once frozen I think it's a waste of time and effort. I has one before that was accidentally frozen. Tried to build it up but I think with time and effort it would of been easier to of purchased a fresher vial. It was a German lager yeast.

As said there is no harm trying if you want

[Will_D]

Yes, I managed it once. There is an old post somewhere here. If I can be A***d and the C****y search engine works I will see if I can resurect it.

NBut why not try to regrow it. It is not a given that ALL yeast cells will rupture during the freeezing process.

BTW: That is what "kills" yeasy cells, the ice crystals grow too large and rupture the cell wall. If only small crystals grow the walls may not rupture!

[lampie]

I have seen some documentaries about making beer and whisky and they always show the yeast laboratory and you see people pulling out vials out of Liquid nitrogen and they use the same strain of yeast for years..

I am a bit lost here

[Tom]

Yeast is a good insulator so you may have some good cells in the middle if you're lucky.
And it's Zymocide!

[mr hoppy]

Lampie - you're right, but I think the pros use a fancier technique than just lobbing it in a domestic freezer.

There's definitely life in it - the starter I made on Saturday morning had built up a little bit of earlier krausen by this morning and when I unscrew the cap it off gases nice sweet, fruity  fermentation smells. Mind it was only in the freezer for 4 days so that might have helped.

[Ciderhead]

Just wondering what you have brought back to life?

[mr hoppy]

It smells good so I'd say it's the original yeast - which is actually the (non-funky) Orval primary strain. So I'm thinking less the walking dead, and more - on the fourth day it rose again. 

[Ciderhead]

5 limbs 7 eyes and a tail
Probably worth a go but I'd be kinda pissed after 5 hours AG if it went west

[mr hoppy]

If it's not doing the business by tomorrow evening I'll be repitching.

[mr hoppy]

This has thrown up 1/2 inch of krausen - so definitely not dead.

Whether it's underpitched and off-flavoured remains to be seen. Had originally planned to recycle this yeast, but may just buy another vial depending on this turns out.