White Labs "Best Use Before Date"

White Labs doesn't use a "Packaged Date" using their "Best Use Before Date" how does that relate to package date?

White and Wyeast each suggest that a fixed 20% of the original 100% in the package dies each month.  So five months shelf life is it.  So for a May 31 "use by" date, I would enter Jan 1. 

Interestingly, this also means that we never pitch the 100 billion cells they claim is "pitchable."  I just bought two Wye packages and they were 30-days and 60-days old.

Thanks. That's why I may be switching back to dry yeast. Much longer shelf life and have always had good experiences.

Yea, double the cell count too, if you rehydrate properly. 

The trade-off is selection;  there's what?  Two options for Belgians:  T-58 and Belle Saison? 

I don't remember exactly who posted it...but in the yeast harvesting thread someone had a wonderful idea that made me "smh" at the simple beauty of it.  Harvest yeast and make a periodic starter of it to keep it "fresh" if you're not able to use it in a timely fashion.  I have a ESB going right now that I'm sure I'll harvest the yeast from and I will use this idea. 

The variety of liquid yeast makes it by far better for my uses.  I would rather endure the hassle of starters than to settle for generic dry yeast.