Home Distiller

Hi guys! Im new to the forum and looking for some insight and peoples experiences. I have been away from the hobby for a couple years and am coming back to it.
All started when i was unpacking my kitchen. I came across a box of red star montrachet yeast. So i figured it was a good time to start the hobby back up. I noticed the packets are dated for 2016. Havent worked or tried to use yeast wirh that long of a span. Has anyone tried and succeeded with such old yeast? Or am i just wasting my time? Thank you!

Sometimes old yeast works, sometimes it don't. I'd try to make a yeast bomb with it, if that works, use it. Even if it doesn't work I'd toss it in the fermenter as a nutrient.

Number of viable cells in that old of yeast is probably low although how it was stored is a big factor. Yeast is not that expensive that I would waste my time with that packet.

Lots of factors determine if it's still good. If its a big box it may be worth proofing, that gives you the answer. If it isn't much it may not be worth your time.

Yeah so after a day and a half, i went down to check the fermenter i threw the same packet batch in and the airlock was starting to bubble. So i guess even at 7 years old, you cant rule out that the yeast is bad.

Dry yeasts are very robust. One way to see if the yeast is active is to make a "starter", just as is sometimes done in homebrewing

Thats true. I could do the half cup of water to 1 tsp of yeast and see whats going on