Yeast!

I'm having a bit of a yeast problem at the moment! No, it's nothing personal - I dragged the breadmaker out of the cupboard the other day to make some scrummy bread (yeah, I love bread) I fancied trying a carrot and carroway recipe, but the damn bread wouldn't rise! I tried again using a regular tried and tested recipe (garlic and herb!), but the same thing has happened! I am forced to admit that the yeast that has been sitting in the cupboard for a while...well, yes, it has been a while actually.... may have gone past it's best. Can that happen? Does yeast go off? I think that is what has happened. Nothing is so frustrating than smelling bread baking and then not be able to eat it! Oh well, looks like Joe's in luck again! I'll get some new yeast and give that a whirl!