If you just opened your shipment and noticed your liquid yeast isn’t exactly "fridge-cold," don't worry—this is a common occurrence and doesn't necessarily mean your brew day is ruined. We ship yeast all over the globe, and it’s remarkably resilient during its travels.
The Reality of Shipping Liquid Yeast
We offer ice packs and insulated mailing options to help regulate temperature, but it is important to note:
Insulation is a buffer, not a refrigerator: These options are designed to keep the yeast colder for longer, but they cannot guaranteed the yeast will arrive cold, especially during transit through various climates.
Summer Shipping: During the hotter months, we strongly recommend opting for dry yeast, which is significantly more stable in high temperatures.
Is my yeast still viable?
It is difficult to tell if yeast is healthy just by touching the package. A warm pouch does not automatically mean the cells are dead. The only way to know for sure is to see how the yeast performs.
We recommend testing the yeast before you start your full brew day. ### The Best Next Step: Make a Starter If you want to ensure your yeast is ready to work, we highly recommend making a yeast starter. This is the most reliable way to:
Verify viability (you’ll see activity if the yeast is healthy).
Wake up the cells after their journey.
Ensure you have a high enough cell count for a successful fermentation.
Still worried? > If you make a starter and see no activity, or if your fermentation fails to kick off, please let us know. We’re here to support your brewing journey and want to make sure you have the right ingredients for a perfect batch.