SOB_OCDAVE

Recipes 

I haven't been brewing as much as I use to and was wondering if my two row barley and other specialty grains are getting to old to use (12 months to 18 months old). I keep them in the garage in plastic storage bins with tight fiting lids and the specailty grains in 1 gal. zipp lock bags. I was buying in bulk (50 lb 2-row) to save some money. Will the malt ever go bad or effect the taste quality of the beer that I am producing?
Thanks, Dave

RichBrewer

Recipes 

3 things you want to avoid when storing grains are heat moisture, and exposure to air. The bins are tightly fitting but is there a lot of air space in them? How hot did your garage get?
I left some specialty grains in my freezer for about 3 years. The ones that were sealed with most of the air removed were good and made good beer. I had one zip lock bag that wasn't tightly sealed and the grains were kinda soft and didn't taste fresh. I threw those in the trash.
I would say taste your grains and if they are crunchy and taste good go ahead and try a batch. If you do use them let us know how the beer turned out.
If you don't want to risk it, just replace the grain with fresh.

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Cheers,
Rich

david_42

Recipes 

You're pushing the limits. Give some of the two-row a chew. The biggest problems will be the fats going rancid and the starches getting stale. Both will be obvious.

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